By Paul Nicholson
January 9 – CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb says that his focus is on his region. Speaking to Insideworldfootball, Webb was reacting to speculation linking him to running for the FIFA presidency, but said: “I am the president of CONCACAF and that is my 100% commitment. That is my responsibility, that is my job, that is my focus.”
“What you are seeing is the start of the process in our region. We have made some important changes, we have started a lot of programmes, we are involving as many of our member associations as we can, we have added competitions and initiatives, this is a huge task.”
Webb was elected unopposed to CONCACAF’s presidency in 2012, taking over from Trinidad’s Jack Warner who had been suspended by FIFA. Since then Webb’s programme of change and reform has been nothing short of revolutionary.
A member of FIFA’s executive committee, Webb also leads FIFA’s Anti-racism and discrimination Task Force.
While Webb prefers to keep the conversation focussed on CONCACAF he does accept that this is a crucial time for FIFA and repeated his belief that FIFA is at a crossroads. But, he said: “Whatever happens in these elections, everyone at every level of the game must never forget that football is bigger than any of us.”
With Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein of Jordan having announced his candidacy this week, it was inevitable that speculation around Webb as a candidate would mount.
Webb is currently in Jamaica for the start of the CONCACAF U20 Men’s Championship. He will be in Zurich for the Balon D’Or early next week before returning for the closing of the U20s.
Speaking at a pre-tournament press conference in Kingston, Jamaica, Webb explained his priorities.
“Firstly, we started a transformation process, we also started a reform process… the governance of CONCACAF is at an all-time high, we have actively 21 committees that make decisions and recommendations to the executive body.
“We have invested heavily in a process that embraces all aspects of CONCACAF. We are also in the process of instilling a new culture within CONCACAF in the way we conduct business. We have worked hard in restoring credibility and trust, which we value so much,” he said.
“I am very much satisfied as I believe we have seen a real transformation in CONCACAF – internally and externally, I believe that we have done and accomplished so much along this journey, yet there is so much more to be done and that’s where my immediate focus is,” he said.
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