FIFA is heading for a $100M-plus deficit for '15 and rival candidates for the leadership of football's world body have "warned of catastrophe if some campaign promises are carried out," according to the AFP. FIFA has $1.5B in cash in the bank and its riches are a "key battle for the five rivals who will take part in Friday's vote for a replacement for Sepp Blatter." Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has warned that some of his rivals' promises to give more money to member nations could "bankrupt" the governing body by '18. Another contender, Jérôme Champagne, said that "very dangerous" financial promises are being made. Champagne confirmed in a letter to national associations that FIFA suffered a deficit of about $100M in '15 -- "much attributed to the corruption scandals engulfing football." He said that two "top sponsors" are holding out on deals ahead of the 2018 World Cup in Russia and 20 out of 27 backers for other competitions. Champagne "singled out a promise by Gianni Infantino" to give $5M every four years to each national association for football development, plus $40M to each of the six continental bodies. Champagne: "It seems therefore ludicrous to promise nearly a billion dollars with political and electoral objectives, after having criticized FIFA and President Blatter for years on the alleged grounds that he received votes in exchange for development programs." FIFA's money "comes mainly from the World Cup." It reported $5.7B income, with a $338M surplus, "in the four years after the 2010 tournament in South Africa." It "is only estimating" $5B for '15-18. Experts said that the "cash mountain should be enough to help FIFA see out the corruption storm if corrective measures are taken" (AFP, 2/22).
AFRICAN VOTE: The AP's Gerald Imray reported Infantino "expects more than half of Africa's 54 countries to back him in the FIFA presidential election." He said, "I will make an impact (in Africa). I will have a majority of the African votes." Infantino's claim, if true, "means most African countries will defy" their continent's football leadership. Infantino said that his belief "came from private visits to Africa," FIFA's largest confederation. Infantino: "In the discussions I've had with many African (football) presidents, I can say I feel very confident." He visited Robben Island, the prison where Nelson Mandela was jailed during apartheid, "on the invitation of fellow FIFA candidate Tokyo Sexwale" (AP, 2/22). REUTERS reported Sexwale said that he is a realist who is "open to negotiations and alliances" ahead of Friday's vote in Zurich. Sexwale, whose campaign has failed to gain traction, "is the first candidate in the process to suggest he could be interested in striking a deal" (REUTERS, 2/22).
FORMAL COMPLAINT: The AP reported Champagne has made a "formal complaint claiming two rivals supported by continental governing bodies have an unfair advantage." Champagne urged FIFA election monitors to cancel 20 extra passes for "observers" from UEFA and seven for the Asian Football Confederation to enter the election hall. In a letter, Champagne wrote that UEFA and the AFC plan "to swamp the Congress hall with confederation employees able to access" voters (AP, 2/22).
BOOTH DELIVERY: The PA reported Prince Ali bin al-Hussein plans to test FIFA’s "resistance to transparent voting booths by having some sent to Zurich in time for Friday’s presidential election." FIFA has "dismissed a request from Prince Ali for transparency voting booths." FIFA insists it is "sufficient for delegates from the 209 voting nations to hand over cameras and mobile phones before entering the booths" (PA, 2/22).
ANOTHER ONE: REUTERS' Brian Homewood reported former FIFA exec committee member Worawi Makudi was "banned again on Monday for failing to respect an earlier suspension imposed during an investigation over alleged misconduct." Worawi, who was on the committee in Dec. '10 when it awarded the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the '22 tournament to Qatar, has been suspended by FIFA's ethics committee "since last October while it conducts the investigation" (REUTERS, 2/22).
