ChangeFIFA
Encyclopedia
ChangeFIFA is a campaign
organisation, established in 2010 with the stated aim of making FIFA
, the ruling body of world soccer, more "fair and accountable".
and, if possible, negotiations with the world soccer's ruling body itself. They work through petition applications, lobbying, appearances in the media, and social networking.
, Conservative
Member of Parliament for Folkestone and Hythe and member of the House of Commons' Culture, Media and Sport Committee, has called for Sepp Blatter
's re‑election as FIFA president to be suspended and a "reform agenda" to be introduced at football's ruling organisation. The British MP called on "members of parliaments and national assemblies" around the world to help reform FIFA by applying political pressure on the organisation.
The agenda calls for an independent commission to lead an inquiry into FIFA and then ensure that the organisation's proceedings become transparent and open to the public; that all FIFA member-associations be allowed to vote on "major decisions" (instead of these decisions being made by FIFA's 24-person Executive Committee
); that all FIFA decisions, votes and actions be open to the public; and that FIFA's finances, in detail, become public. The agenda also calls for the FIFA president not to serve more than two terms of office.
, such as McDonald's
, Coca-Cola
and Visa, have publicly called for "change in FIFA".
In the wake of many fans' dissatisfaction at how the world football's ruling body is being run, other challenges to the authority of the current FIFA leadership have sprung, such as the campaign staged by 37-year-old American journalist Grant Wahl.
Elias Figueroa
for the FIFA presidency in the 2011 elections and urged FIFA's member-associations to back Figueroa, who needed to be nominated by a national football federation. However, on 31 March 2011, Figueroa announced he had decided not to accept his nomination as candidate, because "in such a short period of time I could not develop a case worthy of the magnitude and importance of such a distinguished job".
Eventually, in the 2011 elections, incumbent Joseph "Sepp" Platter
, who has been FIFA president for 13 years, won a mandate for another 4-year term, by a margin of 172 votes to 17, with 17 abstaining.
There were renewed calls by many prominent footballers as well as by organisations, such as anti-racism group Kick It Out
and the Professional Footballers' Association
, for a change in FIFA's leadership in November 2011, following president Blatter's remarks about racism
on the football field. Sepp Blatter responded that his statements on the subject were "misunderstood."
, some people, including FIFA president Sepp Blatter who characterized the English as "bad losers", have hinted that England's football authorities have engaged in a campaign to "take over" FIFA something the English FA has categorically denied.
ChangeFIFA points out, in response, that it was created before England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup
was rejected during FIFA's selection process, a process that began in 2009 and turned out to be highly controversial.
Campaign
Campaign may refer to:*Advertising campaign*Military campaign*Political campaign*Advocacy or Advocacy group, relating 'campaigning' on an issue -Gaming:...
organisation, established in 2010 with the stated aim of making FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
, the ruling body of world soccer, more "fair and accountable".
Creation
The organisation was created in June 2010 by English fan Oliver Fowler, a self-described "freelancer" and "football businessman". It claims to be a strictly self-funded campaign. ChangeFIFA is currently run by Fowler and David Larkin, an American attorney based in Washington, DC.Objectives
Oliver Fowler has outlined ChangeFIFA's objectives many times, in various articles. The organisation's stated objectives are to to make FIFA "an organisation with a President and board voted in by the people who play, watch and love the game", and in more detail:- To allow all football fans to be members of FIFA
- To give these fans, as FIFA members, the right to vote for the seat of FIFA president, and
- To allow any FIFA member to be a FIFA presidential candidate
Action plan
ChangeFIFA's stated plan for reform is as follows:- An independent commission will lead an inquiry into FIFA, to ensure all FIFA proceedings become "transparent and open to the public".
- On "major decisions affecting the international game", particularly the award of the hosting of the World Cup to member associations (a decision currently being made by the 24-man FIFA executive committee), all 208 FIFA member football associations would be voting.
- Every decision, vote and action taken on international football would be openly communicated to the public.
- Membership in the FIFA executive committee will be limited to fixed terms, and the president will not to serve more than two terms of office, overall.
- FIFA's finances are to be published in detail, including all sources of funding and the salary packages of all its staff.
Methods
ChangeFIFA is strictly a pressure group. Its aims, per the organisation's charter, are to be achieved through lobbyingLobbying
Lobbying is the act of attempting to influence decisions made by officials in the government, most often legislators or members of regulatory agencies. Lobbying is done by various people or groups, from private-sector individuals or corporations, fellow legislators or government officials, or...
and, if possible, negotiations with the world soccer's ruling body itself. They work through petition applications, lobbying, appearances in the media, and social networking.
Support
Joining forces with Change FIFA, Damian CollinsDamian Collins
Damian Noel Thomas Collins is a Conservative Party politician in the United Kingdom. He was elected as Member of Parliament for Folkestone and Hythe in the 2010 general election.-Education:...
, Conservative
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
Member of Parliament for Folkestone and Hythe and member of the House of Commons' Culture, Media and Sport Committee, has called for Sepp Blatter
Sepp Blatter
Joseph S. Blatter , commonly known as Sepp Blatter, is a Swiss football administrator, who serves as the 8th and current President of FIFA . He was elected on 8 June 1998, succeeding João Havelange. He was re-elected as President in 2002, 2007, and 2011...
's re‑election as FIFA president to be suspended and a "reform agenda" to be introduced at football's ruling organisation. The British MP called on "members of parliaments and national assemblies" around the world to help reform FIFA by applying political pressure on the organisation.
The agenda calls for an independent commission to lead an inquiry into FIFA and then ensure that the organisation's proceedings become transparent and open to the public; that all FIFA member-associations be allowed to vote on "major decisions" (instead of these decisions being made by FIFA's 24-person Executive Committee
FIFA Executive Committee
FIFA Executive Committee is an institution of FIFA . It is the main decision-making body of the organization in the intervals of Congress...
); that all FIFA decisions, votes and actions be open to the public; and that FIFA's finances, in detail, become public. The agenda also calls for the FIFA president not to serve more than two terms of office.
Same aims
Major corporate sponsors of FIFA and the World Cup competitionFIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
, such as McDonald's
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
, Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...
and Visa, have publicly called for "change in FIFA".
In the wake of many fans' dissatisfaction at how the world football's ruling body is being run, other challenges to the authority of the current FIFA leadership have sprung, such as the campaign staged by 37-year-old American journalist Grant Wahl.
FIFA presidential elections
On 29 March 2011, ChangeFIFA endorsed former Chilean defender and for 3 years running South American Footballer of the YearSouth American Footballer of the Year
The South American Footballer of the Year is an annual association football award presented to the best footballer in South America over the previous calendar year. The award was conceived by Venezuelan newspaper El Mundo, whom awarded it from 1971 to 1985. Uruguayan newspaper El País took over...
Elias Figueroa
Elías Figueroa
Elías Ricardo Figueroa Brander is a former football player from Chile. He is considered the best Chilean footballer of all time, as well as one of the greatest defenders ever to play the game....
for the FIFA presidency in the 2011 elections and urged FIFA's member-associations to back Figueroa, who needed to be nominated by a national football federation. However, on 31 March 2011, Figueroa announced he had decided not to accept his nomination as candidate, because "in such a short period of time I could not develop a case worthy of the magnitude and importance of such a distinguished job".
Eventually, in the 2011 elections, incumbent Joseph "Sepp" Platter
Sepp Blatter
Joseph S. Blatter , commonly known as Sepp Blatter, is a Swiss football administrator, who serves as the 8th and current President of FIFA . He was elected on 8 June 1998, succeeding João Havelange. He was re-elected as President in 2002, 2007, and 2011...
, who has been FIFA president for 13 years, won a mandate for another 4-year term, by a margin of 172 votes to 17, with 17 abstaining.
There were renewed calls by many prominent footballers as well as by organisations, such as anti-racism group Kick It Out
Kick It Out
Kick It Out may refer to:*"Kick It Out" *"Kick It Out" *Kick It Out , an association football anti-racism campaign...
and the Professional Footballers' Association
Professional Footballers' Association
The Professional Footballers' Association is the trade union for professional footballers in England and Wales. The world's oldest professional sport trade union, it has 4,000 members....
, for a change in FIFA's leadership in November 2011, following president Blatter's remarks about racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
on the football field. Sepp Blatter responded that his statements on the subject were "misunderstood."
Criticism
Because England lost its bid to host the 2018 World CupFIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
, some people, including FIFA president Sepp Blatter who characterized the English as "bad losers", have hinted that England's football authorities have engaged in a campaign to "take over" FIFA something the English FA has categorically denied.
ChangeFIFA points out, in response, that it was created before England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
was rejected during FIFA's selection process, a process that began in 2009 and turned out to be highly controversial.
External links
- ChangeFIFA official website
- FIFA official website