This Fifa presidential race, if it wasn't already, is becoming even more entertaining and ridiculous than the US presidential race, Donald Trump and all. So what happened today?
On a sad note, indicative of how politics (and money) rule over anything that any decent human being sees as being wrong in the world, Sheikh Salman confirmed he will be standing as a candidate. The Sheikh, with the very controversial background in Bahrain, including his alleged complicity in identifying pro-democracy footballers for torture, has the backing of all the Asian football federations. Digest that for a while: what he is accused of and that he has widespread backing.
After that, sort of expected bombshell, we had another interesting addition to the list: Gianni Infantino. Mr Infantino is the general secretary of UEFA, and Michel Platini's right hand man. He has the full backing of UEFA who said, in a statement: "He has been a long-time advocate of the need for change and renewed development at Fifa and would bring a refreshing and informed voice to the top table of football’s world governing body."
Now, I'm sure you could find a similar statement of support written by UEFA for Platini. Why Mr Infantino all of a sudden? Two reasons, kind of rolled into one. UEFA are worried about Sheikh Salman having so much support and you hope this is because the powers that be at UEFA are not as morally corrupted as those in the Asian Football Confederation, and not just because they want a European in power. Also, UEFA are having to deal with the fact that their main man, Platini, is currently suspended from all football activities and may not be able to run for Fifa president. So UEFA needed an alternative to rival the Sheikh. The feeling is that if Platini is allowed to run, then Mr Infantino will step down.
And if all that wasn't enough, one more name jumped into the mess: Musa Bility, head of the Liberian FA. Does he have much of a chance? About as much of a shot as Donald Trump should have in a normal world: next to nothing, especially seeing as the CAF (African confederation) is not backing him. Their nominee is Tokyo Sexwale, the South African former apartheid era prisoner with Nelson Mandela. It sounds like a good story but his close ties with Sepp Blatter and the old Fifa are disconcerting and confusing. Want change, nominate one of the old guard. Huh?
And so the fun goes on and on. If it wasn't for the sad, scarcely believable nomination of Sheikh Salman it would just be a ridiculous circus that we could all laugh at.
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