October 23 – International players’ union FIFPro has published a checklist which it says all contenders for the job of FIFA president should meet, notably “social wellbeing, fairness, democratic values and human rights.”
Those who cannot comply “should be eliminated from the process without further delay”, the organisation says.
FIFA elects a new president on February 26 to replace Sepp Blatter, who has been in charge since 1998, and in a strongly worded statement FIFpro says there is only one way forward.
“A clean break from the past is essential for FIFA to climb out of the toxic pit which continues to produce serious accusations of corrupt behaviour on almost a daily basis.”
“Clearly, the presumption of innocence is a principle that needs to be upheld while various investigations are ongoing. At the same time, there is no doubt the present mayhem has left FIFA morally bankrupt.”
All Presidential candidates will have to pass integrity checks before being allowed to take part in February’s election and FIFPro continued: “FIFPro has no interest in remaining silent when football needs key stakeholders to act and lead by example. Fifpro has previously stated its dissatisfaction as having no confidence in FIFA’s ability to reform from within.
“Individuals who have played a role in administering the game at the highest level are tarnished with the same brush, which is a sad reality for those who have displayed good intentions. FIFpro is afraid the current environment engulfing Fifa is not facilitating an effective election process and that it could produce an extremely harmful outcome.”
“The future leader of FIFA has to be a proven reformer, an impeccable figure who passes the most stringent tests of integrity, carried out independently, possibly by more than one external body.”
“Eliminating even the slightest perception of conflict of interest will be a critical part of a robust reform process, as opposed to the charade of self-regulation that has damaged the image of the world’s most popular sport.”
FIFPro may have good intentions but its suggestion that only those with whiter than white backgrounds should be eligible is itself flawed and virtually unfeasible. It also ignores various different cultures across the globe.
Nevertheless the statement continues: “All presidential candidates would need to display a track record of being able to lead, manage change and streamline outdated policies associated with a dysfunctional governance structure and politically complex global organisation such as that of FIFA.”
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