FIFA confirms its strong commitment to reforms by adopting governance structures and road map

FIFA confirms its strong commitment to reforms by adopting governance structures and road map

Following the proposals made by the FIFA President, Joseph S. Blatter, at the last FIFA Congress on June 1 in terms of good governance, transparency and zero tolerance towards wrongdoing on and also off the pitch – proposals which were overwhelmingly approved by the Congress – the FIFA Executive Committee, meeting yesterday and today at the Home of FIFA in Zurich, agreed on a series of major measures:

- the creation of four task forces, mandated to propose reforms:
• “Task Force Revision of Statutes”, chaired by Dr Theo Zwanziger (Germany)
• “Task Force FIFA Ethics Committee”, chaired by the Chairman of the Ethics Committee, Claudio Sulser (Switzerland)
• “Task Force Transparency and Compliance”, chaired by Juan Ángel Napout (President of the Paraguayan FA) and Frank Van Hattum (President of the New Zealand FA)
• “Task Force Football 2014” (operating since May 2011), chaired by Franz Beckenbauer (Germany)

- the creation of a “Committee Good Governance” (to be established at the next meeting of the FIFA Executive Committee in December 2011) which, among other tasks, will oversee reforms undertaken by FIFA. It will comprise of representatives not only from the international football family but also from other spheres

- establishment of a “FIFA Good Governance” road map (between today and the 2013 FIFA Congress) according to which the first reform proposals will be submitted by the four Task Forces to the Executive Committee in December 2011

It should be noted that since the last FIFA Congress, FIFA has taken the step of consulting external bodies and experts such as Transparency International and Prof. Mark Pieth on governance matters.

More detailed information on the measures taken today is provided in the document linked on the right.

Furthermore, following a proposal from the FIFA President, the Executive Committee stated its full support for the release of the dossier on the ISL-ISMM case. However, this can only be done after a thorough legal analysis because of the complexity of the matter. The case will be opened at the next meeting of the Executive Committee in December 2011. It will then be given to an independent body for further examination.

Other items:
- 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™
• The match schedule of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ and key match assignments for the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 have been approved (more details can be found through the story on the right).
• Mexico’s qualifier scheduled on 18 June 2013 has been moved to 4 June 2013 due to the team’s participation in the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013; moreover, the release period for players for this date, which is an international friendly one, will be extended from two to five days (only for Mexico and their opponents)

- Swiss club FC Sion/Olympique des Alpes SA (OLA): the case was discussed today without FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter and UEFA President Michel Platini due to their direct involvement. The Executive decided to give a deadline of ten working days to the Swiss FA to implement the decision taken by the Emergency Committee on 5 October 2011 (more details can be found through the story on the right)

- Humanitarian help: the Executive has ratified the decision taken in August 2011 to make a donation of USD 1 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in emergency aid for the humanitarian crisis afflicting Somalia; FIFA’s contribution directly helped over 25,000 families (ca. 150,000 people) in one month
(more details can be found through the story on the right)

- Football development: the Executive was informed that the current number of Goal projects amounts to 556 in 194 member associations

- Member associations:
• Syria: the Executive has confirmed the decision taken on 15 September 2011 by the FIFA Emergency Committee to appoint a normalisation committee whose mandate is to organise elections by 11 December 2011 at the latest; this follows the resignation of all members of the Syrian FA’s Executive Committee
• Bosnia-Herzegovina: in order to respect the statutory provisions and to ensure a smooth process, the mandate of the normalisation committee has been extended until the elective general assembly but no later than 31 December 2012

- Football Federation of Kosovo (FKK): following UEFA’s stance on the matter, the FIFA Executive Committee confirmed that the request of the FKK to play international friendlies cannot be approved

- 2013 and 2014 FIFA Club World Cups: Morocco is the remaining bidder to host the tournaments. A further analysis of its bidding dossier will be made before a possible decision by the Executive in December

FIFA Vice-Presidents H.R.H. Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein (Jordan) and Jim Boyce (Northern Ireland) as well as members V. Manilal Fernando (Sri Lanka), Dr Theo Zwanziger (Germany) and Zhang Jilong (China PR) participated in their first FIFA Executive Committee meeting since their election to this body.

The next FIFA Executive Committee meeting will be held in Tokyo on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 December 2011.

>A message from President Blatter

A message from President Blatter


Dear friends of football,

The outstanding events of the year just gone by highlighted once again the social and cultural dimension of football. The first FIFA World Cup™ on African soil, which saw Spain emerge as new world champions, and the prestigious FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi, at which an African team reached the final for the first time, are just two examples of the universal power of our sport. At FIFA, we will therefore continue to pursue our goal of constantly developing football all over the world. The awarding of the 2018 FIFA World Cup to Russia and the 2022 FIFA World Cup to Qatar means that our flagship tournament is charting new territories and, as FIFA President, it gives me great joy to see the FIFA World Cup spread to new geographical regions and cultures such as Eastern Europe and the Arabic world, thus furthering football’s development all over the world.

After such an eventful and exciting year, it is now time to focus our attention and efforts on the future. Football will continue to be at the core of our activities in 2011. The first highlight of the year will be the inaugural FIFA Ballon d’Or gala in Zurich on 10 January 2011.
FIFA’s and my personal mission for 2011 and the years that follow is clear: to show that 'football is more than just a game'. Through its social and cultural dimension, football connects people.
FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter

There will also be plenty of action at confederation level, including the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar from 7 January, the 11th edition of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in the USA and the Copa America in Argentina. I am also looking forward to the second edition of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Sudan starting on 4 February, exclusively featuring players who play club football in their domestic leagues. The FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in Germany will undoubtedly be a highlight in the 2011 football calendar, followed by the Preliminary Draw for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil in Rio de Janeiro at the end of July.

In addition to the competitions, another key focus of 2011 will be football leadership. Before the FIFA presidential election at the FIFA Congress on 1 June 2011, I will attend the congresses of all six confederations. I look forward to meeting the representatives of the member associations there in person, addressing their concerns and, together, setting a strategic course for the future so that FIFA can support its members in an even more targeted and needs-based manner.

FIFA’s and my personal mission for 2011 and the years that follow is clear: to show that 'football is more than just a game'. Through its social and cultural dimension, football connects people. Football is a school of life.

I wish you all health and happiness in this new footballing year and I hope that you will support me in my mission. I thank you for your trust and confidence.

Joseph S. Blatter.

Blatter made honorary member of DFB

Blatter made honorary member of DFB


A great honour has been bestowed on Joseph S. Blatter, with the FIFA President being named an honorary member of the German Football Association during the DFB general assembly. Blatter received the award from DFB president Dr Theo Zwanziger during a ceremony at the Philharmonic Hall in Essen.

Zwanziger paid tribute to Blatter, calling him a "a unique figure in world football and sport in general, someone who does not see football as mere competition with no value". The DFB president said Blatter's presence was a great honour, adding: "We want to thank you for everything that you have done for football, and we would like to express this gratitude by making you an honorary member of the German Football Association."

"This award has special significance for me, and I am delighted and honoured to be here in Essen," said the FIFA President. "I was very touched by the warm welcome and the kind words of the DFB president."

A number of high-ranking guests from the worlds of politics and sport, including federal chancellor Dr Angela Merkel, attended the opening of the 40th DFB general assembly, the main theme of which was 'Football is the future – emotionally, socially and sustainably'.

"We have a lot of important decisions to make over the next two days concerning the future of German football," Zwanziger continued. "But at the same time the DFB general assembly should also be about building bridges between two major events the country has been tasked with hosting. One of them, the 2006 FIFA World Cup™, has already taken place, with the second set for next year: the FIFA Women's World Cup," he added.

Chancellor Merkel, for her part, cannot wait for the 2011 event, saying: "I was in South Africa last summer and was very impressed by the football itself and by the atmosphere in the stadiums. Now I'm really looking forward to the incredible football tournament that will be taking place next year in Germany."

Stars unite to promote Fair Play

Stars unite to promote Fair Play
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Fair play is at the very core of football, which is why FIFA is doing everything in its power to preserve it. Since 1997, Fair Play Days have been an annual event each autumn and this year they took place across the world from 3 to 7 September. Football's world governing body asked all member associations, leagues and clubs to join forces both on and off the field in order to promote this spirit.

This was achieved in a variety of ways, including through FIFA Fair Play flags and video clips in stadiums, as well as via team captains speaking directly to fans to emphasise its importance.

But for the people in the frontline - the players, coaches and directors - what exactly is fair play? FIFA.com went around the world to ask what it means to them and why it is so important. A selection of their responses can be found below, listed alphabetically.

Craig Bellamy, Wales captain
Fair play in football is the only way. Playing as a professional for many years, I know the importance of playing the game by the rules - and that applies in every part of the game. The whole game must be built on mutual respect for your opponent. In that way, the game can flourish and fans can see the best of the best.

Joseph S. Blatter, FIFA President
FIFA’s Fair Play campaign involves much more than simply promoting fair play on the pitch during a competition. FIFA is committed to encouraging fair play in society too, beginning with our future – with children. Children need strong values to grow up with, and football, being a team sport, makes them realise how essential discipline, respect, team spirit and fair play are for the game and for life. I expect players, officials and fans to set a perfect example of fair play.
FIFA is committed to encouraging fair play in society too, beginning with our future – with children. Children need strong values to grow up with, and football, being a team sport, makes them realise how essential discipline, respect, team spirit and fair play are for the game and for life.
Joseph S. Blatter, FIFA President

Bob Bradley, USA coach
Fair Play speaks to the highest ideals of football and how it can serve as an example to people around the world. Respect for opponents, respect for referees and respect for the game are an essential part of the sport, and we strongly support FIFA’s efforts to promote Fair Play.

Rachel Buehler, USA women’s co-captain
When you really get back to the basics, Fair Play is what sports are all about. It’s about being on a team and creating relationships with people, whether it be your teammates, your coaches or your opponents. The game at the highest levels is very competitive, and winning is obviously very important, but when you think back to when we were kids and why we started playing, it was to get some exercise, learn some life lessons, learn how to treat people well and deal with adversity. Even though the stakes are higher as professionals, we hope these foundations of the game never change.

Fabio Capello, England manager
Football inspires people all around the world and that passion comes from the game being played in the right way, with the right atmosphere. Everyone plays to win, but how we react in every situation is very important. We all share the same passion for the game, and we have to respect each other at all times. It is important to remember that younger people watch football, and we are role models to the next generation. Since I have been in England, the Respect programme has had a positive impact on the game, and we have to continue to do all that we can to encourage both respect and fair play in the game.
Football inspires people all around the world and that passion comes from the game being played in the right way, with the right atmosphere.
Fabio Capello, England coach

Alex Frei, Switzerland captain
Fair play shouldn’t only exist during the fair play events of FIFA and UEFA. The Swiss national team supports all events regarding fair play in football and we feel that it is important not only to talk and to promise but first of all to act in a fair way, even when there are no special events such as this one.

Steven Gerrard, England vice-captain and Liverpool captain
Everyone loves football because of the passion and competitive edge, but it is important that everyone is able to play the game in the right way and the spirit of fair play is crucial to that. The game can't exist without respect between the players, coaches, referees, fans and everyone who is part of football. As a captain for Liverpool and also with England I've seen the way the Respect programme in this country has made a difference to the atmosphere between players and officials, and that's an important example for everyone who watches the big games. We set an example for young kids who want to play football all the time, and it's important that they can enjoy the game and play it free from pressure whilst learning the game. I fully support the FIFA Fair Play initiative.

Ottmar Hitzfeld, Switzerland manager
Fair play is the most important element on the football field and stands for respect. Respect for your own team and for the opponent, the referees, the fans and the sponsors. Everyone has their own part to play in making football popular. It is even more important that all of the people on the field know that they’re ambassadors for football and act as such.

Philipp Lahm, Germany defender
Playing for both our clubs and national team we are seen by millions of fans and are especially in the focus of children. That is why fair play is very important, not only on the field but also in our daily routine. Issues such as racism have no place in football.

Eduardo Lara, Colombia U-20 manager
Fair Play is about solidarity and honour between players and clubs, on and off the pitch. Thanks to this idea, a lot of footballers have understood that football is a game and that any rivalry on the pitch should end after the final whistle. The concept, in my opinion, helps also to unify countries in our continent, where we want football to be one family.

Joachim Low, Germany manager
The FIFA Fair Play Days are a well organised initiative to show all around the world that there’s something more important for all the international players than having success. It doesn’t matter if it is a professional player or a youth player – respect for the opponent and a good behaviour is the base of our sport.

Aaron Mokoena, South Africa captain
We fully support fair play in football and we encourage everyone else to rally behind the initiative. Although I know that a lot can happen in 90 minutes and sometimes emotions run high, we have to always remain as an example to those who pay to watch us play. It is also about respect - respect for the game and for its fans.

Pitso Mosimane, South Africa manager
Football is one of the tools we can use to impact our communities and initiate change. That is why it's important for players to lead as role models in order to have a positive influence to the up and coming generation. The behaviour of players on the field is as important as their conduct off it.
Football is one of the tools we can use to impact our communities and initiate change. That is why it's important for players to lead as role models in order to have a positive influence to the up and coming generation.
Pitso Mosimane, South Africa coach

Howard Webb, Referee for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Final
Football plays a hugely important role in the lives of so many people. It creates emotions of happiness and despair, frustration and relief, disappointment and fulfilment. But fair play underpins everything that is good about the game, irrespective of the emotion being evoked. Unfair play has no place in the game and a genuine sense of fulfilment or happiness cannot be achieved when fair play has not been observed, irrespective of the result. As a referee, I feel proud to be a part of this wonderful sport and to assist in establishing fair play and respect on the field of play.

Sun Wen, FIFA Women’s Player of the Century
Respect is one of the basic elements in fair play. A footballer must respect not only his or her coaches and teammates, but also their rivals, referees, audiences and all of the other people involved. A player should always be aware of their status as a professional and as such, should not get involved in any disgraceful demeanors both on and off the pitch. By doing so, you gain the respect of fans and opponents alike and safeguard the spirit of fair play.

Nigel Worthington, Northern Ireland manager
Fair play is an important element in today’s game and is something that I fully support. I think it is great that the football family worldwide are focusing on the area of Fair Play in September and I trust that the up and coming qualifying games will be played in the spirit of Fair Play throughout the world.

Fan Zhiyi, Shanghai East Asia manager
To achieve fair play, you should first understand that the game is not only about competition. As a footballer, it is your responsibility to respect the rules and regulations of the game and do your best to display the ethics of the game during competition. Should we reach consensus in such regards, we can gradually do away with all kinds of violence, which has been doing harm to the game for so long.

Haiti: Hope through football

Haiti: Hope through football
(FIFA.com) Tuesday 9 February 2010
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It proved an emotional occasion as Joseph S. Blatter met with Yves Jean-Bart, President of the Haiti Football Association (FHF), for the first time since the country was hit by a major earthquake on 12 January. “We’d got some second-hand accounts but we weren’t able to speak to Mr Jean-Bart directly just after the earthquake,” said the FIFA President. “After a few days, I managed to speak to him on the telephone and I can tell you that was a huge relief.”

Jean-Bart still carries the scars of the event, with several fingers on his right hand wrapped in bandages after being crushed. He also suffered an injury to his elbow, which has recently undergone an operation. “I was running to escape our headquarters when a block of stone fell on my back and shoulder,” he recalled.

“It’s painful but I’m still alive. Jean-Yves Labaze, the coach of the U-17s, was just behind me and was less fortunate. The earthquake happened around 5pm. A lot of our players were training then, which maybe saved their lives. On the other hand, all of them or nearly all of them suffered losses within their families.”

Exact figures for the human toll remain hard to gauge, but the statistics provided by the United Nations speak for themselves: between 100,000 and 150,000 deaths, 1.1 million people homeless, 700,000 in need of first aid, 200,000 lacking food and 500,000 having fled Port-au-Prince for the countryside.

The FHF itself was not spared by the tragedy and Jean-Bart lists the victims among FHF employees with a profound sadness: “The national team’s masseuse, the cameraman, the executive director and so many more. It’s impossible to give a precise figure at the moment.”

The FHF needs help on all fronts, having lost its headquarters as well. “We don’t even have the money to pay for the heavy machinery to clear away the rubble. We estimate that there are at least 33 bodies buried underneath, and we’ve also lost all our assets, plus the whole of our administrative system.”
It’s incredible, but amid all the ruins young people wanted to play. Football is an integral part of our society and that’s why it’s important that we get our football activities up and running – to bring a little serenity and joy.
Yves Jean-Bart, President of the Haiti Football Association.

Thousands of homeless Haitians have gathered in the national stadium, on the artificial pitch laid down for the match between Haiti and Brazil in 2004. As for the FHF’s technical centre, built thanks to FIFA’s Goal programme, it remains intact save for the surrounding wall and has been made available to footballers and their families. On 4 February, FIFA elected to release special funds to aid the country.

“The Finance Committee decided to allocate an extra USD 3m,” explained President Blatter. “We had already granted an emergency aid of USD 250,000 after the catastrophe.” The additional sum has been set up as a Special Projects Fund which will be managed directly by FIFA from Zurich to finance projects submitted by the FHF.

Amid the chaos, President Jean-Bart attempted to form a list of priorities. “The first thing is to help the athletes so that they can go back to leading normal lives,” he said.

“After that, we want to take back the grounds that are still being used for relief operations. Lastly, we want to get our competitions back under way as soon as possible. The clubs Racing CH and Tempete have already asked to be entered into the CONCACAF Champions League.”

The very idea may seem strange just a few weeks after such an overwhelming tragedy, but hope is vital at times like these. “We handed out the FIFA balls we still had to people in the camps,” explained Jean-Bart.

“It’s incredible, but amid all the ruins young people wanted to play. Football is an integral part of our society and that’s why it’s important that we get our football activities up and running – to bring a little serenity and joy.”

“In life, there are miracles,” added President Blatter. “Football persists and brings hope and emotions, but money is also necessary to rebuild and carry on again.” The task now is to begin planning for the future. “The pitch in Petit Goave was finished off by an aftershock and the stadium in Leogane, at the epicentre of the quake, was totally destroyed,” said Jean-Bart.

“There are numerous building sites, but football wasn’t just restricted to Port-au-Prince and that’s a good thing, because the provinces were relatively spared, which should allow us to get started again on the right foot.”

There is an immense amount of work to be done, of course, but Haiti can count on the solidarity of the entire football family. “Aside from FIFA, who made an unprecedented contribution with the $3m USD fund, lots of clubs, federations and football organisations have helped out and benefit matches have been, or are going to be, held,” concluded the FHF President. “The idea of a ‘football family’ really comes into focus at moments like these.”

Big decisions taken in Cape Town +

Big decisions taken in Cape Town
(FIFA.com) Wednesday 2 December 2009
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On the back of Wednesday 2 December's extraordinary meeting of the FIFA Executive Committee in Cape Town, South Africa, the President of world football's governing body, Joseph S. Blatter, gave a press conference to go over some of the issues tackled. Alongside him was FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke who, with the Final Draw for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ just days away, also wished to have his message heard.

FIFA.com brings you the key statements from a press conference which centred on incidents arising in decisive FIFA World Cup qualifying fixtures, irregularities in the football betting market and the issue of match control (refereeing).

Joseph S. Blatter (FIFA President)
On high-profile incidents in South Africa 2010 play-off encounters
"As we all know, there have been various incidents in the play-off matches which were part of FIFA World Cup qualifying. The matter came down to the Laws of the Game: in Africa, for example, an extra game between Egypt and Algeria was required, something which is difficult to organise. After detailed discussions about the regulations, the secretary generals of the various Confederations will assess a report which we will then analyse in March at our next meeting. There we will see if we introduce changes to the system used for the qualifying phase."

About possible changes to how matches are controlled (refereeing)
"We spoke about what to do with refereeing in future. It's clear that the main match official and his assistants cannot see everything that happens on the field of play. So, is it better to have more match officials or open the door to technology? We will have to evaluate this, though we did take one decision: even if the experiment with two additional match officials in the [UEFA] Europa League continues through to the latter stages (of the competition), there won't be any changes for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. We will continue to use one main match official, two assistants and a fourth official. There's no discussion on this, (the finals) are too soon for us to evaluate other possibilities."

Regarding illegal betting and global match-fixing
"I'm proud to announce that we've received the fantastic support of a new partner in the fight against situations like these. We can't intervene in the law courts of individual countries, but INTERPOL will collaborate with us in our struggle and create an international task force to fight illegal and irregular betting on sport, and particularly football. Together, uniting the programmes that are already in place, we will work towards controlling transparency in football.”

On the play-off encounter between France and Republic of Ireland which took place on 18 November 2009
"The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has opened a case with regard to the behaviour of the French footballer Thierry Henry, and as a result will carry out an investigation as to what happened in that game. I don't know what the outcome of that will be given that it is an issue for the Disciplinary Committee and not the Executive Committee. We should let them get on with their job."

About the incidents relating to the matches in African Zone qualifying between Algeria and Egypt on 14 and 18 November
"At these games incidents occurred which were reported both by the referee and the official delegates. For that reason, the Disciplinary Committee has opened an investigation. What measures could end up being taken? They work with the [FIFA] Disciplinary Code, so all the possibilities are there within. What I can say is that the 32 teams which qualified for the FIFA World Cup earned their place on the field of play and will be in Friday's Draw."

Jerome Valcke (FIFA Secretary General)
On the parameters used to decide the seeded teams for 4 December's Final Draw
"It’s very clear, as in agreement with UEFA we used the [FIFA/Coca-Cola] World Ranking for October 2009. The decision was adopted in order to comprise a period during which all European teams had played the same number of games. Had that not been the case, to give an example, France would have had an advantage over England due to having played two more official encounters, even though England had won all their matches. This decision was taken with UEFA and turned out to be the fairest one for everybody."