The BBC and Sky have "invited the four candidates" for the FIFA presidency to take part in a live TV debate, according to James Gill of the RADIO TIMES. FIFA President Sepp Blatter and his three rival candidates -- FIFA VP Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of Jordan, Dutch FA President Michael van Praag and former Portugal int'l Luis Figo -- have "all been invited to take part," with FA Chair Greg Dyke offering to host the debate at Wembley Stadium. The vote is "only open" to the 209 national FAs, but the broadcasters have said that the debate will allow the candidates to "communicate directly with fans from around the world." The BBC and Sky have claimed there is "significant interest" from Blatter's rival candidates, although Blatter, who is running for a sixth term as head of world football's governing body, "has so far not supported the proposals" (RADIO TIMES, 3/2).
FIGO IN FAVOR: REUTERS' Brian Homewood reported Figo said he is "willing to take part in a live televised date with his three rivals." He said in a statement, "Football is loved and cherished around the world and we owe it to the fans to have an open, honest discussion about the future of FIFA as the international governing body. I fully support the idea of a public debate between the candidates as proposed by the BBC and Sky." Blatter said last September that he was "not interested in a debate." Blatter: "I don't know how we can organize public discussions. We are not in politics and we are in sport, and we shall not imitate all that is done in politics" (REUTERS, 3/2). In London, Charles Sale reported the TV networks -- through "leading sports news broadcasters Paul Kelso and Richard Conway" -- have written to the contestants "outlining their ambitious proposals for a live, hour-long debate" in the U.K. with an audience of fans representing all 209 FIFA member nations. This fans' congress would provide questions, "with others drawn from football supporters via the Sky and BBC websites, and Facebook, to ensure maximum interaction." All four challengers "have been promised equal time and emphasis to present their manifestos and visions for FIFA's future" (DAILY MAIL, 3/1).
