By Andrew Warshaw
January 5 – He is regarded as an outsider and has been accused of being verbose and too close to his former boss, the currently banned Sepp Blatter. But Jerome Champagne has lost none of his passion or approachability and believes that if football, and FIFA, wants meaningful change and an inclusive future, he is the only presidential candidate who can bring it about.
In an exclusive, wide-ranging interview with Insideworldfootball, on the eve of leaving for Panama to lobby seven central American countries, Champagne, ruthlessly ousted in early 2010 after 11 years at FIFA, opens up like never before on what’s wrong with the game and why he has the qualities to return to lead the scandal-wracked organisation.
What makes you think you are the best man to do the job?
When I was at FIFA I was the liaison person for the federations, governments, players unions etc. One of my fortes is understanding football in the various countries. I know most of their problems better than some others do. When I see someone else saying we should separate the political and economic dimension at FIFA, it’s almost like cutting and pasting my own manifesto. My programme is the only one that is detailed as opposed to just romantically correct slogans.
How many nominations did you end up getting?
This time it was much easier and I got nine letters even though I only needed five. I think all nine will vote for me. I won’t tell you who they are but I can reveal they were from three different continents.
What changed after receiving no nominations last time when you were unable to run?
Last time a lot of people said they liked my programme but that for the moment they were loyal to Blatter. Also, there was pressure levied on some federations which is continuing in some areas actually.
With Blatter banned, are you in danger of being marginalised because of your previous relationship with him, now that his reputation is tarnished?
It’s not about a particular person, it’s about your vision. What the FAs want is someone who understands FIFA and who has been tested at the highest level. Someone who understands the different interests. Besides, Platini was elected UEFA president in 2007 with the help of Blatter. Sheikh Salman was elected AFC president in 2013 thanks in part to Blatter. Prince Ali was elected FIFA vice-president in 2011 thanks to Blatter’s support. Tokyo Sexwale was appointed chairman of the anti-discrimination Task Force by Blatter himself. So that’s not the question you should be asking. I’ve never been involved in trade, commerce, contracts, TV rights. I was just dealing with sporting relationships. It’s interesting that I was pushed out by Platini, Mohamed bin Hammam and Jerome Valcke. Where are they now? All suspended. I understand the scepticism but I’m the most neutral candidate without any link to interest groups.
You say that but it has been reported you were in the room in 2008 when that infamous $10 million payment – described by investgators as a bribe – was signed off. You were still at FIFA at the time.
Whoever wrote that was mistaken. I was in the room in 2005 at the Soccer City stadium when Thabu Mbeke, who was South African president at the time, said during a visit by Blatter that he would like to do something for the entire African Continent. At the same meeting Mbeke said he would also like to do something for the African diaspora outside the Continent, in other words the descendants of the slaves taken to the American hemisphere. But I was never in the room in 2008 when anything was discussed about any so-called arrangements regarding a letter (Jerome) Valcke received to pay CONCACAF. It’s important to get this across. It was a different meeting.
So what’s at stake in the election?
What’s at stake is how we govern football in the future. Will it become like basketball, centralised in one particular area with national team competitions having less relevance than club competitions? We have to avoid this. I’ve been saying that consistently since 2012. We need someone who knows how to make FIFA function and not someone who is basically running for the honorary presidency. Not only that. The next president and general secretary, whoever they are, have to get along and trust each other. I’m not convinced that has been the case in the past.
Where have you been so far on the campaign trail?
I’ve so far visited Ethiopia, Denmark, UK, France, Senegal, Paraguay, Brazil and now I’m off to Panama. Two Saturdays ago I went to South Africa for a meeting of the 14-strong Cosafa grouping of federations.
How do you respond to criticism that you are too verbose?
I take it as a compliment. I could speak in more stupid language. You can accuse me of anything you want but if I sit down with the president of a federation who can only pay for two tickets for a national team friendly because he doesn’t have the money, that’s not about verbosity. It’s about reality. I have proposed that for the 100 federations with the lowest budget, I plan to double their Financial Assistance Programme from $250,000 to half a million. Some people argue that if a federation covers a small territory, they need less money. It’s the opposite. They need more.
Going back to the election, will all the votes Michel Platini might have hoped to get go to Gianni Infantino instead if things stay as they are?
I would say it’s far more open now. UEFA is doing a great job but there is a perception that the UEFA administration is trying to gain control of FIFA. There is a clear feeling that we need a stronger geo-political sporting balance.
But you have you really around the people who matter and have influence, given you have mainly been working as a consultant for various territories and clubs over the past few years.
I’ve spent time with the rank and file of football, getting stuck into their problems and that’s very important. But it won’t be because of what I’ve done with Palestine or Cyprus that will determine whether I win or lose. It’s about whether the winning candidate has a detailed, concrete programme and the necessary experience. What is clear is that some of the candidates have tried to weaken FIFA.
Do you have an idea in your head where your votes might end up coming from?
Yes but it’s inevitable, as past elections have shown, that promises are not always fulfilled on the day. It’s the same in politics.
Is the current crisis so bad that we should close down FIFA altogether and start afresh?
The crisis is very serious but the competitions continue to take place without a glitch. The fundamentals are still there. FIFA is 111 years old and will not be dissolved. It will be stronger for all these scandals.
Finally, can you guarantee that you will still be in the race come February 26?
Absolutely yes, I will go to the end. I will be there.
This interview was conducted by Andrew Warshaw. Contact him at moc.l1734866409labto1734866409ofdlr1734866409owedi1734866409sni@w1734866409ahsra1734866409w.wer1734866409dna1734866409