Brussels summit on FIFA’s future gathering pace, say campaigners
BRUSSELS: International fan group representatives, football administrators, politicians and sports politics experts are the latest names to be added to the list of contributors for a summit on world football’s governing body, FIFA, which is being held at the European Parliament in Brussels next week (January 21).
British MP Damian Collins, who has convened the event in conjunction with co-hosts Emma McClarkin and Ivo Belet from the European Parliament, has already confirmed the presence of FIFA Presidential candidate Jerome Champagne, Former FIFA technical inspection chief, Harold Mayne-Nicholls and Lord David Triesman, who was Chairman of England’s 2018 World Cup Bid team.
The international line-up is further strengthened by the latest confirmations from prominent figures in Europe and Australasia.
Joining the politicians is the co-president of the Sports Intergroup at the European Parliament, Marc Tarabella from Belgium who has long held concerns and been outspoken about FIFA’s management.
Two former football executives with England and Australia will also join the group.
David Davies OBE, who was Executive Director of England’s FA will attend, along with Remo Nogarotto of Italy. Davies now works as a consultant to football associations around the world including Africa, Asia, Central American and the Caribbean and was responsible for reforming the structure and governance of the Hong Kong Football Association. Nogarotto is a former Chairman of Soccer Australia (now Football Federation Australia), and director and CEO of clubs in both the A-League and the former national soccer league.
Davies and Nogarotto have first-hand knowledge of the implications to commercial partners of FIFA’s future direction as it prepares for the crucial Presidential election in May.
They will be joined in the corporate debate by Jaimie Fuller, the Chairman of Swiss-based sports wear company SKINS. Fuller has previously been a vocal figure in the campaign for Presidential change in world cycling and in the promotion of a global anti-doping stance for drug-free sport.
Jens Sejer Anderson is a sports politics expert from Denmark and the international Director of ‘Play The Game’, an organisation which promotes democracy, transparency and freedom of expression in sport. Jens is currently co-ordinating Play the Game’s EU project ‘Action for Good Governance in International Sports Organisations’ with universities across Europe.
A supporters’ view of FIFA’s current status amongst international football fans will be provided by Daniela Wurbs and Dirk Vos from Football Supporters Europe (FSE).
FSE is an independent group that represents fans from 45 countries across the European continent and was launched in 2008 to give supporters a voice on the structure and governance of the game.
Confirming the latest attendees, Damian Collins said: “Since announcing the summit, we have had tremendous support from people around the world who see this summit as an opportunity to speak out on behalf of fans across the world and to finally be heard.
“Supporters want a new FIFA and the list of attendees represents a gathering of people with different skill sets and expertise who all see the game being compromised by FIFA’s mismanagement. They, and millions of others around the world have had enough and they want change at the top.
“Next week’s summit will send a clear message to those voting in FIFA’s Presidential election on May 29th, that they have football’s future credibility in their hands.
“The Brussels summit will make it clear beyond any doubt that the voting members are expected to follow the collective voice of fans across the world and create a New FIFA which truly is ‘for the good of the game’.”
Damian Collins urges everyone wishing to support the campaign for a New FIFA Now to sign the petition at www.newfifanow.org. The official website also houses full details of all speakers and contributors who will be in attendance.
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