FIFA has been warned by the U.S. prosecutor at the center of the investigation into its affairs that its reform plans should not be "superficial," according to Simon Evans of REUTERS. Kelly T. Currie, acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of N.Y., whose office indicted nine football officials with close FIFA ties in May, said that it was "monitoring changes at FIFA closely." Currie: "Superficial changes at FIFA to its statutes will not be sufficient and likewise, mere changes of personnel in certain positions without a genuine commitment to good-governance will not be sufficient. And, as our investigation continues, we will be looking at what reforms are adopted and how they are implemented." FIFA announced on Tuesday that former IOC Dir General François Carrard would head a new reform committee. Currie added, "We have a great interest in seeing a successful reform process at FIFA" (REUTERS, 8/11). REUTERS' Peter Rutherford reported South Korea's Chung Mong-joon will "formally launch his bid" to become president of FIFA on Aug. 17 in France, the home of UEFA President and rival Michel Platini. Chung's office said, "Paris has been chosen as the venue for the announcement as it is the birthplace of FIFA and the campaign is focused on reviving the original spirit of football's governing body" (REUTERS, 8/11).
NAKHID JOINS RACE: Evans reported in a separate piece former Trinidad and Tobago int'l midfielder David Nakhid is "the latest to say he will stand in February's election" to replace the outgoing Sepp Blatter as president of FIFA. Nakhid, "who is based in Lebanon where he runs a football academy, has returned to the Caribbean seeking support from local officials." He said, "I have put my hat in the ring and we are looking forward to the challenge" (REUTERS, 8/12).
