There is no doubt football fans around the globe want to see a change at the top of the game. It is time for FIFA President Sepp Blatter to move on, even if he does not think so.
The 78 year old has opted to run for a fifth term in office at the FIFA elections next year. It has already been announced that former diplomat Jerome Champagne who was employed by FIFA from 1999-2010.
Now another candidate has entered the fray, another former diplomat Harold Mayne-Nicholls. He is in fact a Chilean of English-Croatian. Mr Mayne-Nicholls was once in charge of Chilean FA, was a FIFA official who warned about Qatar’s suitability to host a Summer World Cup, but whose warnings were ignored be the executive committee. He is an ex journalist who led the technical commission which assessed the 2018 and 2022 bids.
“What has happened lately has not served the image of FIFA or indirectly football. There is a complete disconnect between what the fans think is needed and the administration of the game,” he told the Independent newspaper in England.” That leads me to believe that you can accomplish change while maintaining what works well. I do not think it is wise to maintain both the same individuals and structures.”
These are refreshing thoughts and the fact that the election may become more than a two horse race is good news as it may further dilute Blatter’s support base.
This will not be good news for the current President, as he recently learned that he has to relinquish his seat on the International Olympic Committee when he reaches the age of 80, in March 2016. He had asked the IOC if they would change that ruling, but this sporting body which went through massive reform after corruption in its bidding processes will not budge on its constitution.
