Fifa all at sea

As Sepp Blatter was controversially re-elected as president of football’s world governing body Fifa last week, he used marine metaphors, claiming that he was ‘the captain weathering the storm’ and that ‘our ship has drawn some water’.

Many in world football have been left seasick by recent corruption allegations – so much so that it’s difficult to see how Fifa can steer itself to dry land again.

After claims of bribery linked to awarding the 2022 World Cup finals to Qatar, two key figures in Fifa were made to walk the plank: suspended just days before the Zurich congress. One of these men, Mohamed Bin Hammam, was due to stand against Blatter for the Fifa presidency.

With Blatter the sole candidate, the English and Scottish Football Associations called for an election postponement but, with only 17 member associations supporting this motion, Blatter sailed back into the president’s chair for an unprecedented fourth term.

Worse still for English football – still reeling from failing to land the 2018 World Cup finals and with enough internal troubles of its own – several other member bodies publicly criticised their opposition. The head of Argentina’s FA said, ‘It looks like England is always complaining… leave the Fifa family alone, and when you speak, speak with truth’.

Blatter’s supporters say that, during his reign so far, he has been a driving force in increasing revenue, protecting players’ welfare, organising excellent tournaments, improving game rules and, most notably, recognising Palestine (when the UN hasn’t) and supporting projects in poorer countries (to the tune of £600 million).

So, was David Bernstein, England FA’s chair, right to try and break up Fifa’s family home? For an organisation claiming to be democratic and transparent, Fifa appears to now have lost its way. Blatter appears untouchable; surely fresh blood is now needed after his 13 years in charge? Credibility is compromised yet Fifa won’t appoint an independent external party to improve accountability. So often it seems decisions are not truly made ‘for the good of the game’ (a Fifa motto), but rather to boost the coffers.

Forget the big business and the bribery: at the heart of football are people like those in Aberdeen who recently played a remarkable 24-hour football match to raise £12,500 for a Christian education trust working in Malawi.

Perhaps Captain Blatter should climb down from his crow's nest and spy out what's happening at sea level for once.

This article originally appeared in The Baptist Times

Photo credits: Duncan C & Josephi