Crack down on Fifa’s rogue affiliates

Developments that have engulfed football’s world governing body for the past few days should be a sign that society has no time for individuals who run down the sports organisations they manage.

Fifa House has been riddled with one controversy after another for the past year that it came as little surprise that its head, Sepp Blatter, has finally been shown the door alongside Jerome Valcke, General Secretary of the organisation that employs 4,000 people.

The boldness with which Fifa runs its murky affairs, glossing over very serious controversies, made the Swiss-based body an epitome of impunity. There has been great concern that its affiliates around the world have taken the cue and operate like autonomous bodies that only answer to Fifa, in many cases disregarding the rule of law in the countries they are domiciled.

Football has been mired in too many problems that a radical change was long overdue. That change was not going to take place with Blatter and his ilk—suspended Frenchman Michel Platini and Valcke—at the helm. This is why we commend the move by Fifa’s Ethics Committee to recommend Blatter’s 90-day suspension ahead of fresh elections next year.

However, prevaricating with the February date for the election of a new president, as it emerged yesterday, must be resisted by all forces of change in global football. Pressure must be brought to bear on Fifa to bring in new people who can run the organisation transparently and responsibly. It will be recalled that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) faced similar internal problems at the turn of the century. A structural change was set in motion that made the body regain its credibility.

We expect a similar turn-around in football. We also expect a ripple effect in all affiliates of Fifa that have thrived on corruption and theft of public resources to insulate themselves from prosecution.