It was "Africa versus Europe in Johannesburg on Saturday as Tokyo Sexwale and Jérôme Champagne lobbied southern Africa's soccer bosses for support" to become the next head of FIFA, according to Mfuneko Toyana of REUTERS. The South African apartheid-era political prisoner turned multimillionaire and the former French diplomat "laid out their plans to reform FIFA to the Confederation of Southern African Football Associations annual general meeting." The two men hoping to succeed suspended FIFA President Sepp Blatter "presented a show of solidarity as they recalled working together on South Africa's successful bid to host the 2010 World Cup tournament." But the show of unity "began to show cracks when Sexwale pointed out that FIFA had never had an African president." Sexwale said, "The score is 111 to zero against Africa. For 111 years FIFA has not had an African. I am not here to keep quiet like a slave and pretend that these things are not happening." Champagne, who served as a FIFA exec for nearly a decade until '10, "responded by saying the choice was more about experience and ability than nationality." He said, "It's not a matter of origin. It's a matter of knowing exactly of how to manage the structure." Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan, another candidate, "addressed the COSAFA meeting via video link." He "promised to have African leaders in his team if he won the presidency" (REUTERS, 12/19).
PRINCE'S PROMISE: AL BAWABA reported Prince Ali has promised to rid the crisis-hit organization of corruption and "bring it into the 21st century." Jordan's football chief said that "he was confident of being elected in February's vote after losing to Sepp Blatter in May's ballot." He said, "I trust in the 209 national associations to make the right decision this time. I come from a national association and a lot of us are tired of what has been happening. There is a real desire to move on. I want to reverse the pyramid and turn FIFA into a service organization. It's time to bring it into the 21st century." A FIFA ethics court verdict on Blatter and Platini is expected on Monday, and several high-profile arrests since Swiss police raided the Zurich hotel where FIFA delegates were staying two days before May's election have left the organization "fighting for its survival, according to Prince Ali." Prince Ali: "I don't think people were very surprised that things are continuing to happen in this direction. If we don't get it right this time then the concern is that things will continue" (AL BAWABA, 12/19).
REBUILD: The BBC reported FIFA acting President Issa Hayatou said that football deserves "nothing less" than a rebuilt and fully accountable FIFA. World football's governing body "has been engulfed by claims of widespread corruption" since summer '15. Hayatou said, "There may be more challenges, and it will take time for the reforms to take effect. Our resolve to rebuild FIFA for the better remains steadfast." Hayatou in an open letter published on Friday outlined the "key points" of how FIFA would be reformed:
- A "clear separation of powers between the political side of global football and the day-to-day financial and business operations" of FIFA. All "financial transactions will be monitored by a fully independent body."
- Member associations "must mirror the above structure and comply with principles of good governance." They will "also be accountable for the conduct of their entire team and any third parties that they work with."
- Strict "term limits for senior positions within FIFA of three four-year terms will ensure that no single person can wield too much power or influence."
- To promote the full participation of women at all levels of football governance, "including a minimum of one female representative from each region in the new FIFA council."
- Central "integrity checks by an independent body for all appointments to FIFA bodies and senior management" (BBC, 12/18).
