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Former FIFA governance committee chairman Mark Pieth has called on member associations, particularly those in Europe, to stand up to the president of the ruling body, Gianni Infantino.
In an interview with German paper Tagesspiegel on Monday, Swiss criminal law expert Pieth outlined ways to oust Infantino, who has faced criticism especially in Europe.
"FIFA is an institutional association; every member association can vote, remove someone from office, or even take someone to court. Every FIFA member has that option," Pieth said.
The 73-year-old said that the lack of such efforts by pointing to what he called the Infantino system.
He said that the Ethics Committee, for example, exists only formally, and that "there is no independence within FIFA — and accordingly, no oversight," Pieth said.
"Essentially, he has perfected the (Joseph) Blatter system: even more than Blatter, Infantino is driven by power and money."
Pieth said that no one is challenging Infantino because he is regarded as "untouchable."
"He thinks only God is above him. And within his organization, that's essentially true," said Pieth, who headed the independent governance committee which was intended to democratise FIFA between 2011 and 2013.
Blatter presided over FIFA 1998-2015.
According to Pieth, the European governing body UEFA holds a key position in any resistance against Infantino, who, during the current World Cup in North America has faced criticism including being influenced by US President Donald Trump.
Trump admitted he called Infantino over a red card suspension for American player Folarin Balogun which was then suspended. UEFA said that a red line had been crossed by this decision.
"UEFA could say: We'll do it ourselves, we'll leave FIFA and organize a huge European championship," Pieth said.
"Of course, many countries would be missing, but this World Cup shows that Europe is the most powerful continent in football. Without Europe, essentially nothing works. The associations should use that power.
But he added: "UEFA could also challenge FIFA aggressively under competition law. But apparently, there has so far been no willingness within European football to unite and take action against Infantino."
Continue reading...
In an interview with German paper Tagesspiegel on Monday, Swiss criminal law expert Pieth outlined ways to oust Infantino, who has faced criticism especially in Europe.
"FIFA is an institutional association; every member association can vote, remove someone from office, or even take someone to court. Every FIFA member has that option," Pieth said.
The 73-year-old said that the lack of such efforts by pointing to what he called the Infantino system.
He said that the Ethics Committee, for example, exists only formally, and that "there is no independence within FIFA — and accordingly, no oversight," Pieth said.
"Essentially, he has perfected the (Joseph) Blatter system: even more than Blatter, Infantino is driven by power and money."
Pieth said that no one is challenging Infantino because he is regarded as "untouchable."
"He thinks only God is above him. And within his organization, that's essentially true," said Pieth, who headed the independent governance committee which was intended to democratise FIFA between 2011 and 2013.
Blatter presided over FIFA 1998-2015.
According to Pieth, the European governing body UEFA holds a key position in any resistance against Infantino, who, during the current World Cup in North America has faced criticism including being influenced by US President Donald Trump.
Trump admitted he called Infantino over a red card suspension for American player Folarin Balogun which was then suspended. UEFA said that a red line had been crossed by this decision.
"UEFA could say: We'll do it ourselves, we'll leave FIFA and organize a huge European championship," Pieth said.
"Of course, many countries would be missing, but this World Cup shows that Europe is the most powerful continent in football. Without Europe, essentially nothing works. The associations should use that power.
But he added: "UEFA could also challenge FIFA aggressively under competition law. But apparently, there has so far been no willingness within European football to unite and take action against Infantino."
Continue reading...
