The very existence of FIFA is "in the balance" as it prepares for a presidential election and extraordinary congress "triggered by the worst crisis in its history," according to Ben Rumsby of the London TELEGRAPH. FIFA's member associations will meet in Zurich this week to decide banned President Sepp Blatter’s successor and "vote on a series of reforms designed to end one of the most corrupt regimes in the history of sport." Those running FIFA since Blatter was effectively ousted as president know that the decisions made at the Hallenstadion on Friday "could be the difference between salvation and annihilation for the organisation that has run the game since 1904." Efforts to "keep the vultures at bay" will have been for nothing if its previously resistant members "fail to rubber-stamp a package of sweeping -- albeit imperfect -- reforms it hopes will demonstrate its commitment to cleaning house in a way previous governance changes failed to do." While implementing the likes of integrity checks, term limits, separation of powers, financial transparency and independent oversight "should be enough to hold off any immediate threat" to its existence from governments or sponsors, it could still "find itself sleepwalking into another crisis over the election of a new president." The "favorite for the job" is Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa, whose campaign has been "dogged by allegations that he was complicit in the detention and torture of pro-democracy campaigners in his native Bahrain, as well as questions about the integrity of previous regional elections in which he stood." Sheikh Salman's "only serious rival" is UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino, who also only entered the election race post-Michel Platini and "whose headline manifesto pledge is arguably that which will most interest ordinary fans" -- World Cup expansion (TELEGRAPH, 2/20).
RISING THREATS: REUTERS' Brian Homewood reported in the last month, talk has resurfaced among Europe's most powerful clubs of a breakaway European Super League, "as well as complaints about the amount of time players spend with national teams." National team competitions "depend on a calendar agreed between FIFA and the clubs," which commit to release players to their national teams on certain dates. If the clubs, which are "always eager for more opportunities to play lucrative friendlies abroad, were to pull out, it would throw international football into chaos." There was "similar discontent" in the '90s, when UEFA became "deeply critical of Joao Havelange, the Brazilian president of FIFA at the time." FIFA now "faces similar challenges," added to the "menace of match-fixing" organized by illegal betting syndicates, all while "trying to shake off a series of scandals" that have seen Blatter banned for ethics violations and "cast a shadow over the awarding of at least three World Cup finals." Clearly, FIFA "cannot afford to get its reforms wrong" (REUTERS, 2/19).
CLASH OF CANDIDATES: In a separate piece, Homewood reported FIFA presidential candidate Jérôme Champagne has criticized the plans of rival Infantino as financially "dangerous" for FIFA. Infantino's campaign organizers said in response that "his proposals were feasible and could be achieved by savings in FIFA and possibly an increase in revenue." In a letter to FIFA's 209 member national associations, which each hold one vote in the election, Champagne suggested on Saturday that Infantino's plans could add an extra $900M "to FIFA's expenditure over the next four years." Infantino promised to distribute $5M every four years to each FA for football development, plus $40M "to each of the six continental confederations over the same period" (REUTERS, 2/20). The PA reported FA CEO Martin Glenn believes "another high-profile controversy could sound the death knell for FIFA." Glenn hopes whoever is at the forefront of the new regime "can bring about positive change." He said, "Football is massively popular, it's growing, it is really in a healthy state. In a way I'd hold on to that and say, yes, if there's another major scandal permeating FIFA, it may not withstand it. I hope we get Gianni winning it and I hope we get the reforms through. Out of all the people that we've got, Gianni stands the best chance of modernizing it and giving it the transparency that we think it all deserves" (PA, 2/21).
NO TRANSPARENT BOOTHS: In another piece, Homewood reported FIFA rejected a demand from a presidential candidate to use transparent voting booths at next week's election to "ensure delegates do not photograph their ballot papers" when they choose the head of football's world ruling body. The request came from Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, who said that "he would take his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport." FIFA Electoral Committee Head Domenico Scala rejected transparent booths, and said that members "would be reminded that voting is secret and told to hand over mobile phones and cameras before doing so." In a statement, Prince Ali's lawyer said, "He (Scala) has said it is enough just to tell them they must not do so, and has rejected Prince Ali's request to use transparent voting booths" (REUTERS, 2/20).
PRESIDENTIAL SUPPORT: Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter weighed in on FIFA's upcoming election and endorsed Prince Ali for football's top position. In a statement he said, "The February 26 election of a new FIFA President is a critical opportunity for the international sports federation to begin a badly needed process of reform. The first test of FIFA's ability to reform itself will be how the presidential election is conducted. As someone who has worked to bring fairness to elections around the world, I am concerned about reports that the sanctity of the secret ballot may be compromised in the FIFA election process.
A secret ballot is essential for ensuring that voters are guided solely by their conscience and are not influenced by external pressure. A transparent voting booth that would make it impossible for voters to photograph or otherwise record their selection is the only way to ensure ballot secrecy.
The second test of FIFA's commitment to reform is the outcome of the election. FIFA needs a president with credibility, commitment and the right values to lead it out of its current crisis. I believe that someone is Prince Ali."
