By Paul Nicholson
September 14 – Just one month after the candidates have to confirm their nominations for the FIFA Presidential race, and three months before the election itself, the International Football Arena (IFA) Conference will take place at the Home of FIFA in Zurich, November 19.
Top of the bill will be a one-on-one interview with FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who steps down next February after more than 17 years as president and more than three decades at the helm of football’s governing body.
IFA founder Marcel Schmid, now producing the 17th edition of his marquee event in Zurich, has long been a link between the football business and FIFA’s Zurich world. Schmid has been a close follower of Blatter’s career.
“I remember interviewing Mr Blatter in a radio talk-show when he still acted as General Secretary for FIFA in the early 80’s. But what has happened in all these long years since?
“Football has gained such an unbelievable influence in our society, economically, politically. And the man who probably had the biggest influence on this, who oversaw these changes is soon going to step down.
“I would like to ask him about his thoughts, would like to understand his views on the past and present. We will not ignore, that a Tsunami has hit the world of football lately. And that the FIFA president is naturally caught in the eye of the storm.”
Having just completed his digital breakout conference in Berlin, Schmid’s attention is now fully focused on a return to FIFA House for IFA’s main event.
While a full agenda is still to be announced, the conference’s anchor tenant is in place. Registrations are now open for the event at www.internationalfootball.com or email moc.l1731731574labto1731731574oflan1731731574oitan1731731574retni1731731574@stek1731731574cit1731731574.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1731731574labto1731731574ofdlr1731731574owedi1731731574sni@n1731731574osloh1731731574cin.l1731731574uap1731731574