By Paul Nicholson
August 20 – There is a lot of talk about FIFA reform, but the talk is in general very short on detail. To date the focus has been on corruption and its prevention, with reform measures being focused around issues like age and term of tenure and ‘fit and proper’ person tests, financial governance and independent governors. Lurking below the surface of this talk is a much deeper issue – that of the one-man (it is usually a man) one-vote system.
A reform of the voting structure would be the most profound and radical reform that FIFA could undertake. Potentially a reform that would change the power balance of FIFA forever – if it were passed.
The big and powerful European nations (England and Germany’s football presidents in particular) have moaned at the equality of power much smaller nations have. Why, they argue should countries often with just a few thousand people, for example, have voting parity with countries of more than 50 million?
They argue that they are disproportionately disadvantaged on the world football politics stage when they – with their wealth, leagues and superstars – should be given the governing power their financial dominance merits. There is a strength and logic in this argument – “he who has the peso has the say so”, is generally a rule of thumb that dominates in almost every walk of life.
But there is also a dangerous weakness and the presumption that as the big dogs they are best qualified to rule the pound equitably and, fairly.
So is there a format where a different ‘equality’ can be brought to a FIFA voting system that doesn’t completely cede power to the biggest and allows the smallest to have a voice and even build to increase that voice?
And is this the kind of reform issue that should really be the focus of the FIFA debate? Is this a way to get to the heart of the FIFA problem, or does it just open the door to new forms of inequity?
In her column Dr Laila Mintas opens the debate with the suggestion of a points-based voting system that would put more power into the hands of the bigger and more successful federations but still leaving the smaller stakeholder with a voice that can be increased if they are successful in football.
This column is her personal view but it raises issues that if FIFA truly wants to embrace a reform structure need to be addressed.
Mintas argues that the debate on FIFA’s voting structure is actually central to any meaningful reform. Voting reform – or at least debate of voting reform – cannot be ignored. For those seeking increased power it shouldn’t be forced through by political and economic arm-twisting. For those who could see their vote parity lost, there is no point in pretending this isn’t a real issue.
You can read her column at http://bit.ly/1MEfmV7
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734871263labto1734871263ofdlr1734871263owedi1734871263sni@n1734871263osloh1734871263cin.l1734871263uap1734871263