Lettre N° Anglais

J EROME C HAMPAGNE
C ANDIDATE
FIFA
TO THE
PRESIDENCY
RE-BALANCE
THE
GAME
IN
A
GLOBALIZED
21
S T
CENTURY
A debate on the future of FIFA and football
Ladies and gentlemen,
Presidents of FIFA member associations,
Executives and officials of federations, confederations, leagues, clubs and players' associations,
Friends in football,
I have the honor of informing you that I have just written to the FIFA Ad-hoc Electoral
Committee and its president, Mr. Domenico Scala, to confirm my intention to run for FIFA
president.
This confirmation has of course been made in accordance with the current FIFA regulations and
in line with the announcement of my candidature of 20 January 2014 in London, in the same location
where The Football Association was founded in 1863, the first of the 209 FIFA member associations.
On a personal level, I am happy that the debate about the future of FIFA and football has
finally begun with the prospect of various candidates.
First and foremost, debating about issues is a normal process in an institution based on
democratic principles.
Then, this debate is particularly indispensable for football. We have to take clear and
informed decisions on whether we want to continue with the current economic polarization, and
the sporting imbalances it brings in its wake, or be willing to rebalance the game in our globalised
twenty-first century.
Finally, this debate is essential for the future of FIFA, which must face the opportunities and
challenges of the globalisation of football by being:
!
More receptive to its 209 member associations,
!
More democratic in its institutions,
!
More in step with changes in a world of football in continuous flux, changes which need
to be reflected in the respective representation of the different continents within the
core of FIFA bodies,
1
2
!
More inclusive for its protagonists, players, clubs and leagues,
!
More proactive about correcting divisive inequalities,
!
More modern in its methods, including refereeing on the pitch and its approach of governance,
!
More in touch with the fans so that everyone, regardless of their age or origin, feels part
of the football pyramid.
A more respected FIFA and therefore a more efficient FIFA!
As previously stated, I want to continue with what has been done, and done well, over the
past forty years, such as the organization of FIFA competitions around the world. However, I also
want to advance the scope of development programs and many other issues that must be tackled now and in the future. Structural reforms will be necessary in order to face new requirements
of our times in terms of transparency, ethics and proximity.
My sincerest wish from the outset has been to present my candidacy with a desire for fair and
transparent debate. I hope to have achieved this goal by releasing the details of my agenda
every month, through my thematic letters and the numerous public statements made in the
press and broadcast media, the details of which are available to everyone at my website
(www.jeromechampagne2015.com).
When the slate of candidates is finalized, I also proposed that public debates be held
between all candidates in the presence of the heads of national associations during the continental congresses to be held through May 2015. These debates should be televised on a global
and/or continental scale, as is the case for all the democratic elections around the world.
It is my belief that these debates are essential for everyone in the hierarchy of our sport. It
will allow each one to become fully aware of the available options, and enable clear and
informed choices for the future.
The 2015 election must not be determined on the basis of individual appeal but on vision
and agenda, to which we must commit for the next decade, and the willingness and ability to diligently execute a program that has been agreed to by the invested parties. The next ten years
will be crucial for football and very particularly for FIFA, which is at a crossroads and in need of
sweeping changes that must take it further than what has been accomplished to date.
Furthermore, FIFA must also step up to the challenge of the weakening of its image if it wants to
serenely and completely deliver on all of its missions.
3
Personally, I will continue to pursue the stance that I adopted since 20 January 2014 when I
presented my candidacy: giving priority to specific proposals and new constructive ideas,
with full respect for institutions and individuals.
My passion for football and my love of the world are the source of my strong will to bring
about and crystallize a collective project to which we can all contribute. A vision which we can
all enrich and thrive in, and in which we all feel creators and protagonists.
FOOTBALL GOVERNANCE: that is the mission defined for FIFA in article 2 of its Statutes.
Let the debate begin!
Jerome Champagne
Zurich, 15 September 2014
www.jeromechampagne2015.com
[email protected]
https://twitter.com/JChampagne2015

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