UNCONVINCED BY YESTERDAY’S brazen assurances that the FIFA corruption scandal would be handled within the “footballing family,” the Football Association has this morning ramped up the pressure on President Sepp Blatter by calling for tomorrow’s presidential election to be postponed.
In a statement issued by chairman David Bernstein this morning, the FA announced that they would be forced to abstain if the contest goes ahead as planned, calling on FIFA’s members to support them in their request that it be rescheduled so as to give the process some credibility.
On Sunday, Qatari official Mohamed Bin Hammam, the only challenger to Blatter’s incumbency, was among four people suspended pending the outcome of an ethics investigation. Bin Hammam is alleged to have paid Caribbean soccer leaders $40,000 each to back his now-abandoned presidential bid.
Blatter himself was exonerated after it was alleged that he had failed to act once he was made aware of the payments, although this morning’s statement by the FA indicated that the tide of mud-slinging nonetheless “made it difficult to support either candidate.”
On 19 May 2011 The Football Association announced it would be abstaining in the forthcoming election for the FIFA Presidency.
“There were two main reasons for this decision. First, a concern, that a series of allegations relating to FIFA ExCo Members made it difficult to support either candidate.
“Secondly, a concern about the lack of transparency and accountability within the organisation, contributing to the current unsatisfactory situation.
“Events of the last few days have reinforced our views, and we call on FIFA and ask other national associations to support us with two initiatives.
“First, to postpone the election and give credibility to this process, so any alternative reforming candidate could have the opportunity to stand for President.
“Secondly, to appoint a genuinely independent external party to make recommendations regarding improved governance and compliance procedures and structures throughout the FIFA decision making processes for consideration by the full membership.
“This has been a very damaging time for the reputation of FIFA and therefore the whole of football. To improve confidence in the way the game is governed at the very top, we believe these requests would be a positive step forward and the minimum that should take place.”
FA call on FIFA to postpone presidential election
UNCONVINCED BY YESTERDAY’S brazen assurances that the FIFA corruption scandal would be handled within the “footballing family,” the Football Association has this morning ramped up the pressure on President Sepp Blatter by calling for tomorrow’s presidential election to be postponed.
In a statement issued by chairman David Bernstein this morning, the FA announced that they would be forced to abstain if the contest goes ahead as planned, calling on FIFA’s members to support them in their request that it be rescheduled so as to give the process some credibility.
On Sunday, Qatari official Mohamed Bin Hammam, the only challenger to Blatter’s incumbency, was among four people suspended pending the outcome of an ethics investigation. Bin Hammam is alleged to have paid Caribbean soccer leaders $40,000 each to back his now-abandoned presidential bid.
Blatter himself was exonerated after it was alleged that he had failed to act once he was made aware of the payments, although this morning’s statement by the FA indicated that the tide of mud-slinging nonetheless “made it difficult to support either candidate.”
Bernstein’s statement in full reads as follows:
Read: Blatter speaks out after Warner unleashes ‘tsunami’ on FIFA in corruption row >
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Corruption David Bernstein FA FIFA Football Association Mohamed Bin Hammam Political Football Sepp Blatter