Webb sits on fence over Gulati or Compeán for FIFA ExCo

Webb is trying to put the confederation back on an even keel after a torrid couple of years under the previous regime and is refusing to back either Mexican Football Federation president Justino Compeán or US Soccer Federation boss Sunil Gulati who are going head to head to replace Chuck Blazer for a place on the top table of world football.

Compeán has a strong business background whereas Gulati was the public face of the USA’s unsuccessful bid to stage the 2022 World Cup when it went into the bidding as favourites but, like all other candidates, was trounced by Qatar.

Webb says the region can’t go wrong either way.

“Of course, Justino has a lot of experience very much focused in business, good experience from the media standpoint from football development programs,” Webb told MLSsoccer.com at a press conference announcing details of this summer’s Gold Cup draw.

“Sunil, of course, has a great mind from an economic standpoint. He’ll be able, of course, to assist with FIFA as far as growing the bottom line and also for helping with governance and really overall growing FIFA.”

Blazer, who was CONCACAF  general secretary under Jack Warner, has held the FIFA executive committee seat since 1996 but announced last month that he wouldn’t be seeking a fifth term. He will be most notably remembered as the whistleblower in the 2011 cash-for-votes scandal in the Caribbean that triggered FIFA’s anti-corruption crusade and led to the fall from grace of Warner, former Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Mohamed bin Hammam and a string of other officials.

Blazer’s evidence set off a chain of other disciplinary proceedings including unproven allegations of his own financial misdemeanours as general secretary. Although he was by no means universally popular within his confederation – some may say that’s an understatement – under his tenure CONCACAF revenues rose substantially.

Webb, head of the Cayman Islands FA, will not have a vote at the CONCACAF congress in April when Blazer’s successor on the FIFA exco is named but nevertheless holds considerable sway.

“We’re in a great situation,” said Webb. “We have two such incredible, such influential individuals in Sunil Gulati and Justino Compeán. … Obviously the game has changed. It’s a big business. The game is evolving and we need individuals who are going to be strong from a business standpoint to help the game.”

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