By Andrew Warshaw
October 12 – FIFA Executive Committee vice-president Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan is pushing for a revolutionary corruption ranking system among FIFA members to make them more accountable when it comes to match-fixing and illegal betting.
Prince Ali (pictured top) put forward his idea at the general assembly of the international players’ union, FIFPro, in Washington to cope with the growing problem of corruption throughout the game.
“While this is no panacea for the problem, it does create incentives for football associations and perhaps even the public and private sectors to remain true to the sport and prevent unethical behaviour,” Prince Ali told delegates.
Before he left for Washington, Prince Ali told insideworldfootball why such a scheme, which would be organised by an independent body, was needed so badly.
“I think there should be an entity from outside FIFA that can organise a corruption index for the associations,” he said.
“It’s only a suggestion at this point but in my opinion the big problem we have is that local law enforcement won’t help unless there is pressure.
“They have to be put under the spotlight.
“This is the only way to put pressure on national Governments.
“Nobody wants to look bad.
“If you are down the list you are going to be in trouble.
“Some member associations want to tackle to the issue but are finding they can’t because they don’t have the necessary Government support.
“If you look at law enforcement in any country, match-fixing is low on the priority list.
“If you put pressure on them, they will act.”
It is understood Prince Ali made his suggestion at the recent FIFA Executive Committee meeting, although it was not mentioned in the post-meeting press conference by FIFA President Sepp Blatter.
Although there has been a spate of convictions for match-fixing in recent months, Prince Ali said the perpetrators were too often one step ahead.
“It’s a very serious issue,” he explained.
“The punishment is so often on the players but we have to get to the bottom of who is behind this.”
During this week’s Leaders in Football conference in London, Prince Ali called for “concrete action” to deal with match-fixing including early detection and more stringent law enforcement.
While FIFA had taken “important steps” with its reform process, said Prince Ali, “more must be done” not least in Asia which, he admitted, “had endured a difficult year marred by charges of corruption”.
Prince Ali said the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) had become more “open and transparent” in the wake of the cash-for-bribes scandal engulfing former AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam (pictured above).
Asked how much damage had been done to Asian football, he replied cautiously: “I just try to look at the positives.
“It’s not about one individual, it’s about creating a better environment.”
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