Filed under: Football, World Cup 2010
The FA has rarely been seen as a catalyst for change but it has belatedly taken the lead in challenging the balance of power at the head of the global game by calling for the postponement of the Fifa presidency election.Twenty-fours hours before Sepp Blatter is due to be returned to the post unopposed, FA chairman David Bernstein has called for a delay to allow another candidate to stand on a platform of reform.
Blatter had originally been opposed by Mohamed Bin Hammam before the Qatari withdrew from the race after being suspended by the organisation pending an investigation into bribery allegations.
The FA had originally opted to abstain from the vote having decided the candidacy of both Blatter and Bin Hammam were tarnished by allegations of bribery and corruption relating to the bidding process for the right to host the World Cup finals in 2018 and 2022.
Further allegations of bribery that led to the suspension of Bin Hammam and Jack Warner, the Fifa vice-president, have created a deepening crisis within Fifa that shows no sign of easing, despite Blatter's insistence that the game is merely facing a "difficulty".
Isolated within the world game and with little to lose after the humiliating defeat in England's 2018 bid, Bernstein has spoken out.
In a statement on the FA website, www.thefa.com, Bernstein said: "Events of the last few days have reinforced our views, and we call on FIFA and ask other national associations to support us with two initiatives.
"First, to postpone the election and give credibility to this process, so any alternative reforming candidate could have the opportunity to stand for President.
"Secondly, to appoint a genuinely independent external party to make recommendations regarding improved governance and compliance procedures and structures throughout the FIFA decision making processes for consideration by the full membership."
There seems little chance of the election being postponed given it would take three-quarters of the 208 member associations to halt the process and, given Blatter will almost certainly be in charge for another four years, only a limited number will be willing to go public with their concerns.
The usual charge of sour grapes will be directed at the FA which has few friends in the world game and has, as a body, regularly been accused of being arrogant in its dealings with other nations and organisations.
In this instance, however, Bernstein should be applauded for speaking out.
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