The frontrunner in the FIFA presidential election, Asian football President Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said that he wants to divide the organization into two separate entities as part of a "turnaround" plan for the crisis-hit organization, according to Simon Evans of REUTERS. Salman said in a statement on Wednesday that FIFA's governance and business functions "would be separated if he took over the helm following the Feb. 26 elections." The Bahraini suggested dividing the organization into a "Football FIFA" that will be "responsible for governance and running events and tournaments;" and a "Business FIFA" which would "handle all commercial, financial and funding matters." He said, "Only by strictly separating the generation of funds and supervising the flow of all monies spent can we guarantee the rebirth of a new FIFA that is accountable and is a good corporate citizen that deserves everybody’s respect." Salman said that he intended to bring in "external experts" to help with the process including a "top class executive who does not necessarily need to have a football pedigree but is someone who has the expertise of a turn-around manager." Salman also "promised an in-depth review of FIFA's senior management structure and vowed to listen to the organisation's staff" (REUTERS, 12/30).
BRIBES: The AFP reported authorities in Uruguay alleged on Tuesday that fallen FIFA VP Eugenio Figueredo received $50,000 a month in "improper payments" from sports marketing companies. The 83-year-old, one of seven top FIFA officials arrested at a Zurich luxury hotel in May, received "hefty sums" each month to ensure two firms retained their exclusive rights to various South American tournaments, said the indictment. Detailing their case against him, prosecutors said that "records showed Figueredo received not only a monthly" salary of $40,000 as president of CONMEBOL, but also $50,000 a month in bribes, which he invested in Uruguayan real estate (AFP, 12/30).
MORE TROUBLE: REUTERS' Simon Evans reported banned UEFA President Michel Platini "could face further investigation" from FIFA's ethics committee after attending an awards ceremony and conference in Dubai despite being barred from "all football activity." On Dec. 27, Platini attended the Globe Soccer Awards organized by the Dubai Sports Council in Dubai, "along with football stars such as Lionel Messi and Andrea Pirlo." Platini was photographed at the event and "also made comments regarding his ban to the Italian media while in Dubai." A spokesperson for FIFA's ethics committee declined to comment on the specific case but said, "In general terms: the investigatory chamber of the ethics committee of FIFA investigates any alleged breach of the ethics code of FIFA" (REUTERS, 12/29). GOAL reported Platini believes he will "be vindicated after again vowing to clear his name following an eight-year ban." Platini: "I am waiting to hear the reasons behind the eight-year ban because there will then be the appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. My lawyers are ready and I will fight my battle at all sporting levels and I will go to the civil courts if necessary. I will not accept such injustice and I am ready to claim damages in the civil courts" (GOAL, 12/29).
