FA chairman leads calls for Sepp Blatter to halt election and start Fifa reform
David Bernstein seeks a 'genuinely independent' review of the scandal-hit governing body
England and Scotland led the way in a brave but unlikely attempt to force reform at Fifa after the Football Association's chairman, David Bernstein, called on Sepp Blatter to postpone Wednesday's uncontested election for his fourth term as Fifa president.
On another day of drama in Zurich, Bernstein issued a public declaration demanding the launch of a "genuinely independent" review of Fifa's governance structures.
Having kept the sports minister, Hugh Robertson, informed of his intentions, Bernstein made a plea for reform that was swiftly reinforced by the Scottish FA's chief executive, Stewart Regan. "This is a matter of principle," said Bernstein on Tuesday. "Myself and the FA believe that the position in Fifa is just not acceptable."
Despite Blatter's defiance at Monday's press conference, in which he insisted he would only be judged by the "Fifa family", there is believed to be some backing for the measures in certain regions of the world. One influential football figure said the perspective of Bernstein, who has been at the FA for fewer than six months, is potentially refreshing for Fifa, an organisation that is apt to circle its wagons.
With pockets of support in Africa, northern Europe and some other English-speaking nations, Bernstein may have set in train a chain of events that could deliver an embarrassing blow to Blatter's standing among his peers. Whether that will translate into the votes required to change the agenda of the Fifa congress is highly questionable. There will be 205 voting national associations there on Wednesday and, under Fifa statutes, it will require the support of 153 other countries for Bernstein's motion to be carried.
Bernstein himself would not be drawn on what would constitute a moral victory for his campaign. "I am not judging this by mathematics; it is a good result already with the support we have from within the UK," he said. ! "Sometim es you have to jump without knowing how solid the ground is."
With the Fifa vice-president, Jack Warner, and the former presidential challenger, Mohamed bin Hammam, reacting to their suspensions from all football activity with claims their bans were "politically motivated", there is a risk of revenge against British interests.
Bernstein remains unperturbed, knowing from the humiliation of England's 2018 World Cup bid, which picked up only one non-English vote, that the nation that gave the game to the world is already on the sidelines of international football politics. "I don't think we will get isolated and nor should we be," he said. "[Fifa] is a democratic organisation and we should be able to express a minority or singular view. I do not believe that because a party takes a stance it should lead to retribution."
More of Fifa's leading sponsors have also chosen to make public their reservations about the direction the organisation is taking. Visa and Emirates added to the sense of crisis at Fifa with statements on Tuesday.
"The current situation is clearly not good for the game and we ask that Fifa take all necessary steps to resolve the concerns that have been raised," said Visa.
Emirates, Fifa's airline partner, said: "Like all football fans around the world, [Emirates] is disappointed with the issues that are currently surrounding the administration of this sport." Adidas and Coca-Cola had previously announced their displeasure with recent events.
As one local newspaper published the results of a survey indicating that 86% of Blatter's compatriots believe him to be "corrupt" 7% more assess him as "a bit corrupt" Switzerland's president, Micheline Calmy-Rey, addressed the opening of the Fifa congress by saying: "Where there are concerns about corruption and transparency, it is necessary to listen and reform your governance."
Jacques Rogge, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) chairman, was more emollient before Fifa's constituents. In 1998, coinciden! tally th e year of Blatter's first election as Fifa president, the IOC faced its own corruption scandal after members were found to have sold their votes in the host-nation decision for a winter Olympic Games.
"Fifa is now facing allegations and controversies; 13 years ago we had to face the same ordeal in the Salt Lake City case," was the message of solidarity from Rogge, while stressing he was speaking not as the IOC's president but as a "lover of football." He said: "The IOC however emerged a stronger organisation, and from within. We also had humility. I won't point the finger or lecture you but I am sure Fifa also can emerge from within."
There were echoes of Bernstein's calls from the global anti-corruption body, Transparency International. It demanded the introduction of an empowered, external ombudsman, as well as strengthened auditing measures. "Fifa delegates know that they must clean house if their vote is to have legitimacy," said Transparency International's Sylvia Schenk.
However, Bernstein faced strong opposition from one of football's grandees. The 95-year-old Joo Havelange spent 24 years as Fifa president and was Blatter's mentor. He told Brazilian journalists: "Do you think they would do the same if there was an Englishman running alone for the presidency?"
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