By Andrew Warshaw
October 8 – The battle to replace FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce at the top table of world football administration has been stepped up with the announcement that England’s David Gill is putting his name forward even though he has only been a member of UEFA’s executive committee for less than 18 months.
The former Manchester United chief executive initially indicated he would not stand but has changed his mind.
As part of FIFA’s recent reform package, the historic nominated British vice-presidency, which has been traditionally rotated between the four British associations, is being abolished to become a European position. But UEFA, in turn, have decided to keep it as a British seat though no longer rotated.
That means UEFA will vote for one of a number of candidates at its congress in Vienna next March, two months before Northern Ireland’s Boyce steps down when his term of office expires at the FIFA Congress.
Gill had initially declined nomination by the English FA but has decided to go ahead after all.
“David Gill has declared his intention to stand for the role of one of UEFA’s vice-presidents on the FIFA executive committee,” an FA statement said.
“Following recent FIFA reforms, UEFA members will in March 2015 choose one of their vice-presidents from a list of candidates to be proposed by the four British associations. As such, The FA will put Gill forward as a candidate for the election, which will be held by European football’s governing body during its Congress in Vienna.”
Explaining his change of heart, Gill said: “This is a decision I have been thinking about for some time. Although I had initially wanted to focus on developing my relatively new role within UEFA, I believe there is an opportunity, if elected, to use the FIFA position to make a real difference.”
Gill is expected to face competition from Scottish FA president Campbell Ogilvie and Welsh FA president Trefor Lloyd Hughes.
“Having sounded out many people across the game including fellow board members at Manchester United, The FA and UEFA, I would hope to make a positive contribution and use my candidacy to drive a debate for continued reform,” he added.
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