FIFA: A citadel of politics & corruption

For an outsider like me who has followed the game of football long enough, the re-election of Seep Blatter to the highest post of FIFA, football’s world governing body did not   baffle   me a bit.

I   always   believed that    football   highest governing   body   was a citadel of politics governed by executives turned bureaucrats and supported by   their cronies. 

From 2007 to 2010 FIFA generated whopping revenue to the amount of $4.2 billion, largely from selling the global commercial rights to the World Cup.  In 2010 right before the crucial FIFA election each member football association was granted a one off payment of $550,000 to finance football activities.

Over the  years  it  has  been  a  give and take  working relation between FIFA and   national
football associations( NFA). High ranking FIFA executives   have   without a second thought   resorted to unscrupulous   means   to   influence and   garner   support of 208 football associations.

Apparently it   does not make a world  of  difference  to  NFA  officials because  they  make the most  of the  situation, and   predictably   they  have  been supportive .

The needy and poor countries like Nepal are soft targets for FIFA who cave in to offers and favors. As long as they are supportive of FIFA they benefit immensely, including the   goal project, FIFA’s flagship bearer.

Ganesh Thapa   led All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) is a classic example of football politics. He has transformed himself into a shrewd   personality by making the right moves and has made the most hay.

Long as he   is closely affiliated with FIFA and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) he will continue to rule the roost regardless of the situation.  The biggest irony is that   FIFA   is   against   government   interference when it comes to football   matters; however, they continue to support non-performing and corrupt football associations.

The controversy surrounding   the election confirms the fact   that the culture of corruption and dirty politics exist in FIFA.

This is  the  first  time  in my memory (  hopefully  I am not wrong) the world governing body  hogged world headlines  in a  significant  way for the wrong reason.

FIFA, the biggest    global   organization   is an enigma to most of us in terms of governance and administration. Little   information is made public as to what goes within the $ 100 million Zurich based FIFA headquarters.

In    light of   recent   corruption   scandals   FIFA leadership trustworthiness is in question. There is a need   for   greater   accountability, transparency and   absolute ethical democratic environment.  Also FIFA needs to be reformed structurally, administratively and organizationally to clean up its image.

In my opinion there has to be term limit for    FIFA   presidency    and not let one individual have a vice-like grip.   It was first Joao Havelange  who ruled  FIFA for  a  record 24 years  and now  his  prodigy Blatter  is in the driver’s seat since he took over his boss thirteen years ago.    

Prior to the all important election   allegations of corruption and   impropriety   were   labeled   against Blatter and his associates by Mr. David Bernstein, Chairman of the English Football Association. This created quite a stir but did not stop Mr. Blatter from being reelected unopposed for a record fourth term.

As expectedly   Blatter   camp   was   quick   to   repudiate   the charges   and   succeeded   to   scapegoat   Bernstein. Even more dramatic was the last minute withdrawal of   his   candidature   by   Mohamed bin Hammam, the former President of Asian Football Confederation and the sole challenger to Blatter.

He   decided not to contest the election, following   reports   of his involvement   in   the   Caribbean bribery scam surfaced. As per the   allegation   he   and Jack Warner, former FIFA vice- president bribed representatives of 25 Caribbean football associations totaling about $ 1 million.

With   suspended   Warner, the man at the center of the FIFA bribery scandal gone for good and Hammam being investigated, we can anticipate more similar scandals in the days to come.

The FIFA ethics committee   did protect Blatter by giving him a clean chit but his legacy has taken a big hit. Without a doubt he is morally responsible for the swirl of scandals   surrounding FIFA, which is unfortunate and startling.

It is simple and straight, FIFA cannot be allowed to function as it has for long, otherwise, it will only make matters worse.