WHEN IT COMES to operating in turbulent political waters, former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger has more experience than most.
Now, the man who presided over the latter years of America’s involvement in Vietnam in the 1970s is set to help repair the public image of another body mired in disaffection – FIFA.
Shortly after his ceremonial coronation for a fourth successive presidential term, Sepp Blatter announced that he had invited Kissinger, 88, to join a “solution committee” which will recommend anti-corruption measures as football’s global governing authority promises to clean up its act.
This proposed committee will be comprised of public figures such as “politicians, celebrities and former footballers,” a move doubtless intended to dispel the image of FIFA as an insular and impenetrable organisation.
“Kissinger loves football,” said Blatter yesterday. The Guardian reports that the pair are “long-term associates” with Kissinger attending the 2006 World Cup and other major sporting events as Blatter’s invited guest.
Footballing legend Johan Cryuff has also been targeted as an ideal candidate for the anti-corruption committee by the newly re-elected FIFA chief.
