FIFA, the world football governing body, was to elect a new president Friday to replace Joseph S. Blatter, who resigned from his post as president just days after re-election last summer amid a corruption scandal.
This election is not just about finding Blatter's successor. It is about the future of FIFA, whose reputation was severely damaged during the Blatter years. The U.S. Department of Justice is conducting a probe into allegations that FIFA officials were involved in racketeering, wire fraud and money-laundering conspiracies. The Swiss authorities are investigating the awarding of the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 finals to Qatar.
Five candidates ― Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, Gianni Infantino, Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, Jerome Champagne and Tokyo Sexwale ― are vying for the top FIFA post, but it is worrisome that even the would-be FIFA presidents inspire no confidence in football fans.
The first job of the new FIFA chief is to regain the trust of the sport's fans around the world. A recent survey conducted by Transparency International and the Forza Football app shows that an overwhelming majority of football supporters do not trust FIFA or any of the top candidates running to replace Blatter. The survey, which included fans from 28 different countries, also found that 43 percent said their enjoyment of football had been affected by recent corruption scandals involving FIFA officials.
To regain the fans' trust, increasing management transparency at FIFA is crucial. Some of the reform proposals have included a term limit on the president and disclosure of compensation and salaries paid to key figures; a replacement of the 24-member executive committee with a new 37-seat council for overseeing the daily workload with members elected by national associations of their respective regions; and posting more women on the council.
The winner should implement these and other measures for sweeping FIFA reforms.
This election is not just about finding Blatter's successor. It is about the future of FIFA, whose reputation was severely damaged during the Blatter years. The U.S. Department of Justice is conducting a probe into allegations that FIFA officials were involved in racketeering, wire fraud and money-laundering conspiracies. The Swiss authorities are investigating the awarding of the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 finals to Qatar.
Five candidates ― Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, Gianni Infantino, Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, Jerome Champagne and Tokyo Sexwale ― are vying for the top FIFA post, but it is worrisome that even the would-be FIFA presidents inspire no confidence in football fans.
The first job of the new FIFA chief is to regain the trust of the sport's fans around the world. A recent survey conducted by Transparency International and the Forza Football app shows that an overwhelming majority of football supporters do not trust FIFA or any of the top candidates running to replace Blatter. The survey, which included fans from 28 different countries, also found that 43 percent said their enjoyment of football had been affected by recent corruption scandals involving FIFA officials.
To regain the fans' trust, increasing management transparency at FIFA is crucial. Some of the reform proposals have included a term limit on the president and disclosure of compensation and salaries paid to key figures; a replacement of the 24-member executive committee with a new 37-seat council for overseeing the daily workload with members elected by national associations of their respective regions; and posting more women on the council.
The winner should implement these and other measures for sweeping FIFA reforms.
