Sepp Blatter and FIFA Crisis: My Take.

   The fire had been raging for a while. Even before the Congress last week, a number of key officials had been arrested over allegations of fraud and corruption. It didnt get to Blatter. But then, like the very hated NEPA official who arrives your compound with his evil looking ladder to disconnect you from the power source;
he wlll eventually get to the top.
   I remember the election that brought Sepp Blatter into office in 1998 just before the France '98 World Cup Finals. He took over the reigns from Joâo Havelange. The outgoing Brazilian had been FIFA Supremo since 1974. In 1981, Sepp Blatter became FIFA General Secretary. A position he held until he was annointed by Havelange to succeed him in 1998. Blatter beat of competition from Lennart Johannson to emerge FIFA President. His reign started.
   Contrary to what people believe, Blatter actually registered some successes in football. He spread the influence of the game to encompass Asia and Africa who before then where not considered in the scheme of things in the game despite lighting up the game. Africa especially, were merely spectators when it came to organisation of the game. Blatter ensured the two blocs were brought in to the front of the game. Japan/Korea 2002 hosting rights were upheld and South Africa got the 2010 rights. The Swiss also ran football into the multi million dollar game it has become. After a long debate, starting from Frank Lamparad's cancelled goal against Germany at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, he allowed Goal Line Technology to assist officials.
  Corruption allegations were also heavy on him. Allegations of bribery taking centre stage. For instance, stories abound on how FIFA received bribes of £6.5 million to award the hosting rights for the 2010 event. It is also alleged that Blatter ran a 'kingdom' and whoever disagrees with him is 'banished'. Well, what can we say happened to Jack Warner and Zen - Ruffinen? Michel Zen-Ruffinen, who was a very fierce critic of Blatter's 'dictatorial style', drew up a thirty page dossier on the alleged collapse of FIFA's marketing partner, ISL, which led to a loss of $100 million under Sepp Blatter. An internal investigation into the case was allegedly halted by the Swiss citing breaking of confidentiality agreement. That led the FIFA Supremo to axe the former General Secretary.    
   Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Josep Blatter headed the football body for seventeen years! Yes, that may be nothing compared to Havelange before him who led the organisation from 1974 - 1998 or Jules Rimet. But then modernity has taken over. FIFA had lost bearing and became more of a political party than a football governing body. Time was up. Also, I don't believe that Blatter who just won an election last week resigned. Just like that? No way. He must have been arm twisted. I want to believe he was boxed into a corner. All the same, I believe his resignation will do the game good. Fresh ideas are needed. FIFA is rotten and stinking. We know of countries whose leaders were deposed who till date haven't gotten their footing right. Removing 'corruption ' is not a guarantee that it won't be replaced by corruption in another colour or shape. The right things need to be done.
   I agree with Blatter that a term limit be placed on membership of the executive committee and the President. Also, membership of the committee should be by election. FIFA should equally ensure that same term limit is placed on all Federations that make up FIFA, both at national and continental levels. Every arm of FIFA should be partially independent, answering only to the Executive committee. That said, I have never been a fan of the claims by ex footballers that they are in the best position to run football. It's fallacy. However, I remain a fan of Luis Figo's candidacy. Having heard his plans for football I buy into it. Blatter lost the respect of the football community. Figo has it absolutely. Seasoned football administrator, David Gill also pose a good candidate. Prince Ali? Apart from his cash and obvious love for the game I know next to nothing about him. He looks passionate though.
   We need our football back. FIFA needs to be purified, for the good of the game.

Photo credit: telegraph.co.uk
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