Tag: Soccerex

Three of FIFA’s most influential figures voiced concerns at Soccerex Global Convention about the media crisis that has engulfed football’s governing body in recent times, expressing a need for action to counter negative perceptions. 
Quizzed by Soccerex consultant David Davies about the impact of the ongoing media allegations about FIFA’s affairs, in a panel discussion entitled “A Word from the Wise”, FIFA Executive Committee Member Michel D’Hooghe said “I think we must be very honest and say that this has been very damaging for the reputation of FIFA.
“Although FIFA does many good things, these things never appear in the media. It’s the bad things that give, for the moment, FIFA a bad reputation.”
And according to Jim Boyce, Vice President of FIFA, the press is not the only source of negative attacks. “We are not only talking about the English press – the FA have come out and made certain statements regarding FIFA” said the Northern Irish ExCo member.
“There is a perception that when England lost the bid, that’s when most of the adverse criticism started. Some of the criticism is entirely justified, but an awful lot is not entirely justified.
“There are a lot of good people in FIFA – they shouldn’t all be tarnished with the same image. I am proud to finish my career as being Vice President of FIFA.”
The challenge for FIFA is to communicate its positive contributions to the world. “I am not blaming the media; I think we have to blame ourselves,” said D’Hooghe. 
“We need to have better communication of the good things that FIFA is doing. Do you hear about 20 centres for hope? Do you hear about restoration of sports facilities after the tsunami? 75 per cent of all FIFA funding goes back into infrastructure.
“Whoever is or will be president, this will be one of his first obligations: to restore confidence in FIFA, to prove to the world that FIFA wants to good for people all over the world. We are promoting football for health to youth in many countries. 
Another major priority is to tackle the issue of transparency. “We are challenging transparency and integrity, to restore confidence in FIFA, to prove to people that FIFA wants to good,” said D’Hooghe.
Also on the panel was Moya Dodd, who joined FIFA’s Executive Committee in 2013. “I get people asking me how it feels to be part of the problem now I’ve joined the FIFA ExCo,” she said. “It’s difficult for people from outside it to understand how it works.
“What’s important is that the leadership of any organisation at board level is independent from the day-to-day flow of interests that tend to make decision-making difficult.”

HRH Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein of Jordan has announced that he will stand for the presidency of FIFA, in a bid that could bring Sepp Blatter’s 17 year reign to an end.
“This was not an easy decision,” Prince Ali said in a statement. 
“It came after careful consideration and many discussions with respected FIFA colleagues over the last few months.”
His decision comes soon after the culmination of FIFA’s investigations into allegations of corruption in its bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, which failed to identify any culpable wrongdoing and led to the resignation of Michael Garcia, the lawyer hired by FIFA to investigate the allegations. 
Prince Ali has pledged to run a positive campaign and to steer FIFA away from the controversies of recent years.  “The message I heard, over and over, was that it is time for a change. 
“It is time to shift the focus away from administrative controversy and back to sport.”
Prince Ali became vice president of FIFA in 2011. He is also president of the Jordan Football Association and the West Asia Football Federation, which he founded in 2001. 
If elected, Prince Ali would be the first FIFA president from the Asia region and only the second from outside Europe, after Brazil’s Joao Havelange.
At just 39 years old, Prince Ali is a contrasting candidate to FIFA’s 79 year old candidate Sepp Blatter, who announced in September 2014 that he would run for a fifth term. 
At Soccerex Global Convention in September, Prince Ali spoke out in favour of time limits for presidential terms 
Blatter is a formidable opponent who has weathered many a storm without any apparent loss to his power or personal reputation. 
The only other candidate in the race is Jerome Champagne of France, who also announced he would stand in September 2014. 
The deadline for presidential candidates to come forward is the 29th January. All candidates must be nominated by five FIFA members, of which there are 209. 
The election takes place by secret ballot on May 29th.