Thu, Jul 23, 2015 page20

• Soccer’s governing body faces struggle to pass reforms

  • AFP, ZURICH, Switzerland
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  The high-profile person chosen to head up the task force established to fine-tune crucial reforms of soccer’s scandal-hit world governing body FIFA is to be named very soon, a source close to the organization’s leadership said.

  However, any changes put to September’s meeting of FIFA’s executive committee could face stiff opposition, according to senior sources, despite the calls from major sponsors for there to be serious reforms following the US authorities charging 14 people, including three former FIFA vice presidents, of taking or giving millions of US dollars of bribes in return for soccer marketing and television contracts.

  FIFA’s outgoing president Sepp Blatter on Monday announced that an 11-strong task force, with an independent chairperson, would prepare reforms, including limits on terms for leaders, tougher background checks on executive committee members and the publication of salaries of top officials.

  

  FIFA president Sepp Blatter gestures at a news conference at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, on Monday.

  Photo: Reuters

  Pressure from major sponsors has come in recent weeks for FIFA to name an independent commission led by a heavyweight figure to prepare reforms to be put to the congress when a new president is elected on Feb. 26 next year.

  Some officials put forward former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan’s name, but he made it known through a spokesman that he already has a “busy schedule” and is not interested.

  However, a source close to the FIFA leadership said that a name would be announced “very soon.”

  The source said the task force would have to get to work quickly to prepare a “succinct report” on the reforms to put to a FIFA executive committee meeting in September.

  The head of the group is to be named by Blatter and the heads of the six regional confederations within FIFA.

  The four main confederations — UEFA for Europe, the Confederation of African Football, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF, which represents North and Central America, and the Caribbean — are to each name two members of the commission.

  CONMEBOL for South America and the Oceania confederation are to name one apiece.

  “Despite everything that has happened, many of these regional heads remain opposed to the new reforms,” a former member of the FIFA executive committee said.

  The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the topic as negotiations are held on who is to be FIFA’s next president.

  Blatter has repeatedly accused UEFA, led by French soccer legend Michel Platini, of blocking past reform efforts, including stricter background checks on executive members.

  “Europe is not alone in worrying about these reforms,” the former executive member said. “Nearly all the regional heads have reasons to want to water down the measures. Some have legitimate concerns about how the reforms will work and be applied. Some do not want interference in their territory. Some are worried about their own positions. This campaign will take a long time, almost certainly beyond the election congress and it will be a tough battle. There will be efforts to water down these measures.”
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