By Andrew Warshaw
September 16 – Despite the sceptics assuming he will not stay the course, former FIFA deputy general secretary Jerome Champagne insists he will be standing against Sepp Blatter next year at the organisation’s presidential election.
Apart from Blatter, who last week made public his decision to go for a fifth term and will inform his executive committee accordingly on September 25, Champagne is the only person to have so far officially announced his candidacy, the deadline for which is January.
Although he has admitted that he almost certainly could not beat Blatter in a head to head race, Champagne has made it clear on his campaign website that he will not be pulling out in the build-up to the ballot in May.
“I have the honour of informing you that I have just written to the FIFA ad-hoc Electoral Committee and its president, Mr. Domenico Scala, to confirm my intention to run for FIFA president,” Champagne said.
Champagne did not mention Blatter by name in his latest statement but repeated that it was important to have a proper debate – ideally in a tv-style political forum.
“I am happy that the debate about the future of FIFA and football has finally begun with the prospect of various candidates,” he wrote. “First and foremost, debating about issues is a normal process in an institution based on democratic principles. Then, this debate is particularly indispensable for football.
“We have to take clear and informed decisions on whether we want to continue with the current economic polarization, and the sporting imbalances it brings in its wake, or be willing to rebalance the game in our globalised 21st century.”
During a decade at FIFA, Champagne was also Director of International Relations and since leaving has been working as a consultant focusing on resolving issues in Kosovo, Palestine and Cyprus.
In one of series of media interviews he has conducted in recent months, Champagne recently said he wanted to mend the growing rift between FIFA and UEFA.
“I will do whatever it takes to stop 20 years of misunderstanding between FIFA and UEFA,” he told News Tank Football. “FIFA needs to better take into account the position of the major European leagues, but UEFA must recognise the regulatory authority of FIFA, including in Europe.”
UEFA president Michel Platini recently announced he would not be standing against Blatter, all but dismissing Champagne’s chances in the process.
And in a clear dig at Blatter himself, Platini also said it was not normal that someone coming from the ranks of the administration could be found at the head of FIFA and that the position should ideally instead be held by someone from within the game.
Champagne does not agree.
“I don’t think that only former players or coaches can assume such responsibilities,” said Champagne. “There are plenty of other people who bring their vision, skills and experience. Look at the composition of the executive committees of FIFA or UEFA, the presidencies of many federations, leagues and clubs across the world, all these positions are seldom occupied by former players.”
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