FA attempt to delay election and demand Fifa reforms
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION chairman David Bernstein admits his organisation’s late bid to postpone today’s Fifa presidential election is likely to fail but maintained a victory for Sepp Blatter would represent an unsatisfactory outcome for the sport.
Bernstein believes Fifa must also appoint an independent body to oversee sweeping reforms in light of the allegations of corruption and bribery which have been levied at some of its most influential personnel.
“This is a matter of principle,” said Bernstein,” whose pleas were supported by the Scottish FA’s chief executive, Stewart Regan as well as FA president Prince William. “Myself and the FA believe that the position in Fifa is just not acceptable.”
In order for the FA to force a change in the agenda of the Fifa congress, which began in Zurich yesterday, it will need 153 of the 205 voting national associations to support their motion.
Bernstein is understood to have garnered support from sections of Europe and Africa, but he admits the prospect of staging a dramatic coup is unlikely.
“To get 150-odd votes clearly would be extremely difficult when we starting from a standing start,” he added. “Going forward in this situation if he does with a coronation rather than an election I don’t think does anybody any good – including Mr Blatter.
“This is meant to be a democratic organisation, one’s entitled to a minority view, even a singular view. Whatever happens we are not withdrawing from Fifa and we will and we have to work from within the tent with the result of what all of this is.
“Sometimes in life you have to take a jump even if you aren’t quite sure how solid the ground is beneath you.”
Despite taking such a brave stance, the FA were criticised by Chuck Blazer, who was last night attempting to stave off attempts to sack him from his position as Concacaf General Secretary by its acting president Lisle Austin.
He said: “Unfortunately with them [the FA], everything is too little too late. If they wanted other candidates they should have done things before the deadline.
“If they wanted to report malfeasance they shouldn’t have waited for a Parliamentary hearing. The FA needs to learn to be ahead of the curve and not behind the game.”
Meanwhile, the embattled Blatter, who is seeking a fourth consecutive term in office, opened the congress and admitted the world governing body had been destabilised by allegations of corruption .
“I thought that we were living in a world of fair play, mutual respect and discipline, and I must say this is not the case any longer,” Blatter, 75, said.
“It’s no longer the case because our pyramid of Fifa is suddenly unstable on its basis and there’s a danger. I will speak to you later today on this danger that is lurking and tell you how we can fight together and work against this threat.”
Warner accused of flouting his ban
SUSPENDED Fifa vice-president Jack Warner has been reported for allegedly transgressing the terms of his ban by Concacaf general secretary Chuck Blazer.
Warner is currently barred from football-related activities amid a Fifa ethics committee investigation into allegations of bribery, but in a letter issued yesterday encouraged members of his Caribbean Football Union to vote for current president Sepp Blatter in today’s election.
Blazer, who blew the whistle on Warner, said: “We have clear evidence of a violation of Warner’s suspension and we have reported that to the Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke.
“He has also been meeting with Concacaf members, which is against the rules of the suspension.”
Emirates and Visa voice their concern
EMIRATES and Visa are the latest heavyweight corporate sponsors to express their dissatisfaction at the corruption scandal currently engulfing Fifa.
Emirates, whose partnership with Fifa started with the 2006 World Cup, joined the likes of Coca Cola and Adidas in condemning the accusations of bribery which have led to the suspension of Executive Committee members Jack Warner and former presidential candidate Mohamed bin Hammam.
“Emirates, like all football fans around the world, is disappointed with the issues that are currently surrounding the administration of this sport,” said a spokesperson.
Credit card giants Visa added in a statement: “The situation is clearly not good for the game and we ask that Fifa take all necessary steps to resolve the concerns that have been raised.”