By Andrew Warshaw
November 24 – The chief executive of Germany’s Bundesliga is the latest high-profile figure to enter the debate over Fifa’s handling of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup anti-corruption investigation, saying coordinated action was needed from Europe to reform world football’s governing body.
Christian Seifert, one of the more respected administrators in European football, may have an agenda but he is not renowned for soundbite self-serving remarks.
The situation has become so serious, he says, that a boycott should not be ruled out. And Europe, he says, could easily orchestrate this since it had the majority of the world’s best players.
Seifert may represent Germany’s clubs rather than its national federation but he didn’t mince his words when quoted by the country’s Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.
“As a serious organisation, we (Germany) no longer feel represented by this FIFA, we no longer feel that we are a member,” he said.
“Seventy-five percent of the players in the World Cup are under contract in Europe and if Europe says ‘we will no longer participate’, then that changes everything.”
“FIFA could certainly suspend Germany, England, Italy and Spain for the next three World Cups but that would have no impact. Because there would be no more World Cup.”
Boycott calls against 2018 and 2022 hosts Russia and Qatar, however implausible, have become de rigueur following Fifa’s reluctance, because of confidentiality pledges made to witnesess, to publish Michael Garcia’s report and the mounting disquiet over its actual contents. Totally separately, Russia has also come under intense scrutiny over the crisis in eastern Ukraine.
Both Russia and Qatar deny any wrongdoing surrounding the 2010 ballot that earned them hosting rights and Seifert conceded a boycott was only feasible if Europe took a united stand.
“A boycott would be an effective weapon but one has to think things through,” he said. “Everyone would have to agree and I have serious doubts about it. France is very unlikely to turn against Qatar with [Uefa President] Michel Platini considered a Qatar supporter. If it is then only Germany and England that remain, then I fear it is not strong enough.”
“One does not know if one should wonder or feel ashamed for them (Fifa). It cannot be acceptable when Fifa’s credibility is in a freefall.”