By Andrew Warshaw
January 19 – Just over a month before the FIFA presidential election, Gianni Infantino has published his eagerly awaited manifesto, much of it either mirroring the ideas of fellow candidates or simply reflecting already-approved reform measures that are being put to the vote on election day on February 26.
Term limits of 12 years for the FIFA president and senior officials, creation of a new FIFA Council, disclosure of salaries and improved use of technology – all found somewhere along the line in other manifestos and/or copying ideas conceived by FIFA audit and compliance committee chief Domenico Scala and approved by the Fifa executive committee – form part of Infantino’s blueprint for change.
Yet few other candidates have issued such a slick-looking campaign website, indicative of the experience of the spin doctors Infantino has employed to get his message across. And there are certainly some eye-catching fresh ideas – not least concerning the World Cup.
Entitled “taking Fifa forward”, Infantino’s manifesto is based on three key pillars – reform, democracy and participation and football development – covering 11 principles.
“FIFA is currently going through the deepest crisis of its over 100-year history. The image and reputation of the organisation have been severely tarnished and it is imperative that we take positive steps to address this now,” it states.
“As FIFA President my main objective will be to turn matters around and, in particular, to put football back at the centre stage of all that FIFA does. FIFA must once again become an organisation that we can all be proud of: a credible, trusted and transparent global governing body developing football in all corners of the world.”
Promising more money to federations is an underlying theme of almost every candidate’s campaign message and Infantino’s is no different, apart from the figures.
He says FIFA should “aim in the future” to channel 50% of its revenues back to member associations. Under his plan each of the 209 federations would get $5 million over four years for development projects. The six regional confederations would get $40 million.”
Specifically, he wants to tailor development programmes to suit the individual needs of member federations and create a new “travel costs fund” to aid smaller less wealthy countries, an attractive-looking vote winner. “This will give a major boost to football development in certain regions as it will ensure that no member association is prejudiced by its remote location or the high cost of travel.”
The UEFA general secretary, who only entered the race when his boss Michel Platini was banned over that infamous SFr2 million payment, has already stated that he would expand the World Cup finals to 40 teams and, as expected, this is included is his detailed plans that run to over 40 pages.
An even more innovative suggestion, however, is taking the tournament to entire regions – just as Platini has done with the Euro 2020 championships that will be staged in 13 cities even though the Frenchman won’t be around to see it come to fruition if his eight-year ban from football sticks.
“FIFA should investigate the possibility of organising the World Cup not only in one or two countries but in a whole region,” states the manifesto, “so enabling several countries to enjoy the honour and benefits of hosting the World Cup.”
The first World Cup bidding after the February 26 election will be for the 2026 tournament that is expected to go to north America.
Infantino also wants to set up a so-called Fifa Legends Team that would organise matches ”against local line-ups throughout all continents to promote football, social projects and charitable aims.”
”Players who wish to give something back to the world of football should be positively encouraged to do so and FIFA should provide a platform for them.”
Other ideas include creating “independent voices” on key FIFA committees, naming a chief compliance officer and establishing a fully open tendering process for FIFA’s multi-billion dollar deals. “Taken together, these changes will, I believe, put FIFA on the path towards restored credibility and integrity,” Infantino said.
If he wins the presidential ballot, the 45-year-old current UEFA number two would be free of the shackles of working under Platini, who has long been wary of introducing technology during his time as UEFA president. Tellingly, the manifesto says FIFA “shall start an open debate with all stakeholders on the further use of technology in the game.”
In a press release accompanying publication of his manifesto, Infantino states: “Clearly rebuilding trust in FIFA is key and it is imperative that the organisation, and everyone linked to it, embraces reforms to ensure FIFA becomes a modern, credible and transparent world governing body. These reforms have to be both structural and cultural and we need to have much stronger transparency in financial management.
“FIFA and football have a lot at stake in this election. Football means so much to so many people all over the world and makes such a difference to so many lives. It is time for all those that love the game to stand up now and make the right decisions to take FIFA forward. The challenges FIFA faces are huge, but I believe that I have the right experience, vision and determination to drive the changes that are necessary.
“I have spent the last 15 years at UEFA, seven as General Secretary, and during this time I have put football first in everything I have done. I have always fought for our game. Whether improving competitions, growing revenues, stamping out discrimination or making UEFA governance procedures more equitable for every Member Association, big or small. This reflects the approach I would bring to FIFA, creating a fully-working, participative democracy with all the Member Associations involved in FIFA’s decision-making process.
“My Manifesto reflects my commitment to put football back at the heart of FIFA, and, working together with the global football family, I believe we can bring about real change and build a bright future for FIFA and for football.”
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