It is “now or never” for FIFA to rescue its tarnished brand, according to FIFA presidential hopeful Gianni Infantino, who on Monday dismissed suggestions that he would strike a backroom deal to allow rival Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al Khalifa to become FIFA president. Infantino, one of five FIFA presidential hopefuls, also unveiled a series of pledges at a glitzy event at London’s Wembley stadium, with a host of high-profile supporters including Jose Mourinho, Fabio Capello, Luis Figo and Roberto Carlos. It had been suggested that the Swiss multi-lingual lawyer, currently UEFA general secretary, could strike a deal with Sheikh Salman, some people’s favorite to win the presidency, to ensure that Salman wins with Infantino securing a plumb FIFA job in return. Infantino said no such deal would take place, despite previous overtures from Salman.
PLAYING TO WIN: Infantino said that he stood for FIFA president “and for nothing else,” adding that he would stand for the “FIFA presidency until the end.” The 45-year-old Infantino also said he was unconcerned that the FA has yet to come out in support of him, despite other European associations and the UEFA exec committee rallying behind him. “There is not disappointment for me at all,” said Infantino, who said he had a meeting with FA Chair Greg Dyke on Tuesday. The FA is expected to eventually support him. Despite many believing that FIFA’s problems can be traced back to Sepp Blatter, Infantino praised the disgraced former president. Infantino said, “As far as Mr. Blatter is concerned, he has been for 40 years in FIFA. I respect very much all the work he did in terms of football development. This comes through when you travel in the world as well. I think Mr. Blatter said it himself that he probably should have stepped back a little bit earlier.”
CAMPAIGN PLATFORM: In all, Infantino unveiled 11 pledges which he said he would introduce within 90 days of his presidency if elected. Infantino: “For too long the scandal and corruption that has engulfed FIFA has taken center-stage, and I believe my proposals will help put football back in the spotlight where it belongs.” Alongside Infantino and Salman, the other candidates are Tokyo Sexwale, the South African former government minister; Jérôme Champagne, former FIFA exec, and Prince Ali bin-al-Hussein, president of the Jordan FA. The election takes place on Feb. 26.
ACTION PLAN: ESPN reported Infantino said that he "will not appoint a fellow European to run the FIFA administration if he is elected, indicating he wants an African to fill the role of secretary-general." He said that "he would rapidly seek to replace the fired Jérôme Valcke if he wins the Feb. 26 FIFA election."
Infantino: "What we want to do is open the doors of FIFA administration. I am convinced the general secretary of FIFA should not be European. Why not an African?"
His action plan "covers 11 points including launching the bidding process for the 2026 World Cup, reforming the transfer system and appointing a new FIFA secretary general." He also insisted that "there would be no financial risk in increasing the amount FIFA hands out to its 209 member associations." He said,
"There is no problem in distributing $1.2 billion when revenue is $5 billion" (ESPN, 2/1).
John Reynolds is a writer in London.
