07 January 2025 GMT: 07:49

Gill to attend Monday’s FIFA Executive Committee meeting

David Gill2

By David Owen
July 16 – David Gill, the former Manchester United executive and recently-elected FIFA vice president, is to attend Monday’s FIFA Executive Committee (ExCo) meeting, Insideworldfootball can confirm. The decision assures the European Confederation UEFA of its full complement at a critical gathering expected to set the date of an extraordinary Congress at which a new FIFA President is to be elected.

First, though, Monday’s meeting will debate organisational reforms likely to include a recommendation that FIFA ExCo members be elected by FIFA’s 209-member Congress, rather than the confederations themselves. Efforts are understood to be under way ahead of the meeting to try to formulate a coordinated response to what would amount to an attempt to dilute the confederations’ very considerable powers of influence over the world governing body.

Gill announced the day after Blatter’s re-election to a fifth term as FIFA President on May 29 that he was withdrawing from the FIFA ExCo, saying: “I simply do not see how there will be change for the good of world football while Mr Blatter remains in post.”

Blatter’s subsequent shock decision to “lay down” his mandate opened the door for Gill to revisit his decision, however. The 57-year-old Englishman, accordingly, described the move as “a major step forward on the road to proper reform” and said it allowed him to “reconsider my position”.

He went on: “Having yet to confirm formally my resignation, I am more than willing to play my part in helping to bring about a positive future for FIFA and to work with the many people within the organisation who are only committed to developing and promoting the game around the world.”

In the slightly longer term, Gill’s “part” is likely to include navigating the way ahead for the FIFA Club World Cup competition. Gill was named chairman of the organising committee for this competition in the committee-list published by FIFA on May 30. The 2015 edition of the tournament, which has struggled to gain traction, particularly in Europe, is due to take place in Japan in the run-up to Christmas.

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