East Midlands MEP co-hosts event calling for FIFA’s President to stand down

East Midlands MEP Emma McClarkin co-hosted an event in Brussels this week to talk about FIFA reform.

The event was hosted by Miss McClarkin, Damian Collins MP, and Belgian MEP Ivo Belet, with the aim of bringing together politicians, and football and business people from around the world who share a common concern about the crisis at FIFA and are prepared to speak out for reform of the organisation.

Speakers at the event included Jerome Champagne, FIFA Presidential candidate, as well as former FIFA technical inspector Harold Mayne-Nicholls, who headed the team which assessed candidates for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids.

The event called on the candidates for the FIFA Presidency to agree to the establishment of a FIFA Reform Commission to be overseen by an independent international authority such as UNESCO. This would be led by an eminent person whose broad mandate is set out in the Charter published at www.newfifanow.org. This includes pledging to:

resolve and publish all current and outstanding corruption inquires;
review FIFA’s constitution, statutes, codes of practice, and operational policies and practices;
develop new governance arrangements including governance-related committees;
oversee an independent audit of FIFA’s football development programmes around the world; and
conduct fresh elections for an Executive Committee including a new President.

Miss McClarkin said:

“I am delighted that so many people attended the event, and that the movement we have created has gained real traction in the media. We want to continue this momentum so that we can force serious and long-lasting changes to the way FIFA is run, which would have long-term benefits for the game.”

“It is clear to all that corruption is endemic within FIFA. We are calling for real change in FIFA, with real reform, transparency and accountability. Strong governance and democracy should be at the heart of FIFA as the Governing Body of the best-loved sport in the world.

“The reform needs to start from the top down. It’s time to give football back to the people.”