Ever since the Korean Grandee, Chung Mong-joon (lovingly called MJ by his friends) announced his candidacy for the post of FIFA President, he has been doing what he has done best in the past: throw stuff at people. Whilst “my enemy’s enemy is my friend” was his motto in May of 2009 when he supported Sheikh Salman of Bahrain against Mohamed Bin Hammam, his target, this time, have been broadsides against his former ally and ExCo candidate of 2009 whom he then fervently supported.
Never tired to launch an attack against any perceived or real enemy, he was quite direct about Bin Hammam, while “protecting” his own protégé Sheikh Salman: at one stage, in a media briefing in KL, he suggested that Bin Hammam should seek psychiatric help. Not shy about calling people names, he followed up with further niceties then, and it seems he keeps up the good work today. Except that this time, he is attacking his former ally.
Chung, who has had a less than picturesque career in national Korean politics (he has not had the success he craves), was himself a Grandee of global football while member of the much-maligned FIFA ExCo for nearly two decades.
Today, and voted out a few years ago, he has suddenly discovered his own complete independence from FIFA politics and decided that the time is right to have a run at the much coveted top seat at FIFA’s table. With Blatter going, he feels he can succeed this time round. Busily travelling, one hears, around the world, he is expected to be in Central America and the Caribbean shortly, where he has offered a game or two to countries that would not usually be the first choice for South Korea’s national Men’s team. One wonders why, and why now. Or, does one?
Judge Eckert’s summary of Garcia’s report (yet to be published – if ever – and where is that former prosecutor now, by the way?), makes reference to an offer circulated among ExCo voters in 2010, when Chung allegedly spoke of a fund properly stuffed with $777 million that would be launched if Korea were to win its World Cup bid. Korea didn’t and no more has been heard of that lovely figure.
Now, Chung has quickly identified his new foes, while assiduously preparing for his presidential run.
Top of the list is Michel Platini of course, whom he apparently called an insider that cannot be trusted or something along those lines, because he was too close to Blatter and has served in the FIFA ExCo for too long.
Funny that Chung served in the same body for very much longer than Michel, and funny also that he achieved, well…? He was unable to oust Blatter in 2002 despite his massive support for Hayatou and part of the World Cup being hosted on his home turf in Seoul.
The ultimate insider himself, with fabulous aides by his side whose top qualification is a massive dose of bitterness – introduce legendary Peter Velappan who always managed to jump ship before things got really rough – Chung now blasts not only his own Confederation – Asia’s AFC – but also has a go at the man whom he so wanted to heave into the ExCo seat in 2009, Sheikh Salman… because he has an opinion that apparently does not favour Chung Mong-joon.
Little does it matter that he – again, as seems to be his style – resorts to body blows that might not have the substance he claims : his office recently sent around the copy of a letter which was allegedly circulated “by the AFC”, and which offers a template how to vote for Platini (as a National Association).
While Sheikh Salman has made positive comments about Platini in the past, we checked and found that neither he nor his top advisers had anything to do with the letter that Chung sees as “proof of corruption” or something of the sort. (see also our earlier article here: http://www.insideworldfootball.com/fifa/17787-chung-evidences-electoral-fraud-and-slams-salman-and-afc-s-support-of-platini)
In a recent statement, the AFC made it quite clear, that while the President may well have voiced his own preferences, the official AFC position – as published – is this: “As in any election, the electorate (i.e. the 209 FIFA Members, the Editor) will be asked for their support by the candidates and will then be free to vote for the candidate of their choice; the elections will be held by secret ballot and so no member will be required to disclose who they have voted for.”
To assume wrongdoing based on such guidance issued by the AFC (who reacted to Member’s requests one hears), is ludicrous. To pick a fight at a stage when there are still just two officially declared candidates (who both will undergo fit and proper tests and still have to deliver at least 5 national associations that officially nominate them), is a little sordid.
To resort to all sorts of ill tempered comments is not perhaps surprising: it is pretty much in line with the modus operandi of a man who does not mince his words (ever) and who will always resort to colourful language when he pleases. After all, he is a billionaire and can always supply an army of lawyers in case somebody finds fault with his verbiage.
The forthcoming elections to vote in a new FIFA President must be different from past elections. Deals and promises should certainly no longer play a role (neither friendly games offered to football minions). This is the old-school politicking that must not be allowed in a new-school FIFA (if there really is seriousness around political reform). What must matter is an honest and clean campaign by all candidates. And we are quite certain that we have not as yet seen them all declare their candidacies yet.
To pick on a person who was an ally when that was the flavor of Chung’s day, and now to blast him for having expressed an opinion (quite early in the race and at a time when Chung was not even a candidate yet), is not the kind of classy conduct one would expect from a classy candidate. But maybe one of the two last words in the previous sentence is the wrong word and should be eliminated.
Inside Insight is…if you have comment on this column contact the editor at moc.l1734895723labto1734895723ofdlr1734895723owedi1734895723sni@n1734895723osloh1734895723cin.l1734895723uap1734895723