By Andrew Warshaw
March 26 – Two failed bidders for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup have been approached to back a hitherto unknown group seeking to end the 13-year reign of FIFA President Sepp Blatter.
insideworldfootball has learned that England and Australia, who earned only three votes between them, have been contacted by the ChangeFIFA movement but have rejected an offer to support their candidate.
Although the group have not identified who this is, it is believed to be Chilean footballing icon Elias Figueroa who has until March 31, when nominations close, to officially win the right to challenge Blatter and Asian Football Confederation (AFC) chief Mohamed Bin Hammam for the FIFA presidency on June 1.
To stand for President, prospective contenders must gain at least one nomination among FIFA’s 208 member federations.
American journalist Grant Wahl has already announced his intention to stand as the “peoples candidate” on a platform of greater transparency.
According to correspondence seen by insideworldfootball, the ChangeFifa movement is a joint venture between Barcelona-based British journalist Oliver Fowler and Washington lawyer David Larkin.
FIFA declined to confirm or deny the group’s existence but sources have suggested ChangeFifa has little or no credibility and is not being taken seriously.
insideworldfootball has seen a copy of a strongly-worded yet at times rambling letter sent by the movement to the English Football Association pleading for support.
Addressed to FA chairman David Bernstein and general secretary Alex Horne, the letter, whose authenticity has been confirmed, said the idea of FIFA being run by any of its current administrators was “deeply alarming”.
“As you are aware, we have a legend of the game with a great heart and unassailable integrity poised to run for FIFA President, but we have not yet won your support,” the letter stated.
“With corruption, cronyism, sexism, discrimination and near tyranny as increasing hallmarks of worldwide football leadership, change is being demanded in every country on earth.
“Yet, oddly, no one acts.
“Why?
“Why isn’t the FA acting?
“What if no one votes for us?”
Urging the FA to approve the group’s nomination, the letter added: “The FA will be lauded as heroes for freeing football from the greed, self-interest and the despicable cronyism which has all but destroyed the credibility of the game.
“The alternative, if we do nothing, is four more years of the awful status-quo imposed by the same men who have led us to this point in world football history.
“Honesty and conviction can win this election, especially in light of the state of the present football leadership.
“But make no mistake, the world has had enough.
“We only have a few days remaining with which to make the nomination.
“Together we must save football.”
Efforts to contact ChangeFifa were unsuccessful but an FA spokesman confirmed they had received the letter and had responded stated it was “highly unlikely” they would be nominating a candidate for the FIFA Presidency.
Indeed, Bernstein recently wrote to both Blatter and Bin Hammam asking for their manifestos ahead of a board meeting in April when an official position is expected to be made.
Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734949110labto1734949110ofdlr1734949110owedi1734949110sni@w1734949110ahsra1734949110w.wer1734949110dna1734949110
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