By Andrew Warshaw
October 23 – In a strategic move now that his nemesis faces being out of contention, former FIFA deputy general secretary Jerome Champagne is having a second crack at the presidency – and this time says has the required level of support.
Three days before the deadline for nominations and with Michel Platini suspended from duty pending the outcome of an ethics investigation, Champagne has officially entered the race to take over from Sepp Blatter on February 26.
Like all contenders, Champagne needs five letters of support from among FIFA’s 209 federations. Last time he was the first prospective contender to issue a manifesto before the election in May but his campaign was derailed when he couldn’t get the necessary backing.
This time he has waited to receive confirmation of support and has now sent a seven-page manifesto to FIFA’s 209 member federations. In fact he has more than five letters. ”I sent my application letter and eight nomination letters to FIFA on Monday night,” Champagne told The Associated Press ahead of officially launching his bid. ”It’s an exciting mission.”
The multi-lingual former diplomat is not saying which federations are backing him but is expected to gain much of his support from Africa where he has developed strong relations. His detailed document reportedly includes plans to modernise how FIFA is run, fight inequality – including, notably, cuts to European places at FIFA and the World Cup – and to trial the use of video review to help referees.
Cutting back European slots will not endear Champagne to UEFA who are examining who to back if Platini fails to clear his name. But the canny Champagne will surely have weighed up all his options and has taken a tactical gamble that, at election time, he will be able to count on a number of federations previously loyal to Blatter.
The Frenchman now joins Platini, Jordan’s Prince Ali bin al-Hussein (Blatter’s sole opponent last time) and David Nakhid, a former Trinidad and Tobago player, in meeting Monday’s deadline though more contenders are set to stand, possibly including Asian soccer chief Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain.
Platini, who is appealing against his ban for taking a SFr2 million payment nine years after he worked as Blatter’s personal adviser, was instrumental in forcing Champagne out of FIFA in 2010 in an unsavoury coup. His compatriot has never forgotten it.
But Champagne only gets a second chance because of the deepening scandal that has led to Blatter, also currently suspended, deciding to depart seven months into a fifth term. It is highly unlikely he would have put his name forward if Platini was still in pole position – as the UEFA chief was only a couple of weeks ago.
Champagne didn’t mention Platini when explaining why he was standing. ”The difference is all that has happened since May 27,” he said, recalling the day two FIFA vice presidents were among seven officials arrested in Zurich as part of the US corruption probe into $150 million of alleged wire fraud and money laundering.
”(Voters) want someone who knows how FIFA functions – for the good and for the bad,” said Champagne, who was not linked to corruption during his 11 years at FIFA where he had four different positions and who has been working as a football consultant in recent years. ”It’s a unique opportunity to restore FIFA and to continue what has been done correctly in 111 years.”
“We need to save FIFA and its role of governance and redistribution, which is in danger at a time when they are needed the most,” added Champagne in a letter to FIFA’s 209 member associations.
“We must also restore FIFA’s credibility and prepare it for the challenges of an ever-evolving world.”
“We must protect the World Cup as that moment of planetary communion during which the pride in our colours and friendship among people of the world are truly at the altar.”
Like he did before, Champagne called for a series of three televised debates between the candidates, in December, January and February. “FIFA deserves a proper debate about its future,” he told reuters. “Errors have been made and they must be corrected … with no whitewash.”
Champagne has long been passionate about the disparity between the haves and have-nots and is keen to address the financial gap.
His proposals include giving more places to “under-represented” continental confederations such as Africa and giving players, clubs and leagues more decision-making power.
“We have to take clear and informed decisions on whether we want to continue with the current economic polarisation, and the sporting imbalances it brings in its wake, or be willing to rebalance the game in our globalised 21st century. The next 10 years will be crucial for football and very particularly for FIFA, which is at a crossroads and in need of sweeping changes that must take it further than what has been accomplished to date.”
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