Champagne says he can’t beat Blatter in FIFA fight

Reuters/London

Jerome Champagne launched his bid to stand for the FIFA presidency yesterday but immediately undermined his campaign by saying he did not think he could beat Sepp Blatter should the Swiss incumbent stand for re-election.

Frenchman Champagne, 55, a former diplomat, worked at FIFA for 11 years from 1999 and is a former deputy Secretary General of world soccer’s governing body.

At a packed London news conference he confirmed his plans to stand for the most influential job in soccer, with a programme of reform aimed at limiting the influence of the richer sections of the game.

However, after outlining details of his policy ideas and setting the ball rolling for a potential 15-month campaign, he was left stalled on the grid when he admitted he would probably not beat Blatter and might not even stand should his former boss attempt to hold on to power. 

Asked if he could beat Blatter, who hinted last week that he would stand again, Champagne said: “No I don’t think so, he’s someone of relevance. I don’t know whether Mr Blatter will run or not. Of course as a matter of politeness I informed him what I was planning to do.”

Blatter, who turns 78 in March, may well bid for a fifth term of office while there could also be a challenge by UEFA president Michel Platini for the role second only to the presidency of the International Olympic Committee in global sporting importance.

Champagne, little known to fans and those outside FIFA and diplomatic circles but a long-time colleague of Blatter, added that he would decide whether to maintain his self-funded campaign if his former boss decided to stand again.

The Frenchman had ended months of speculation by declaring his bid on a platform of reform based on his far-reaching 20,000-word document “What FIFA for the 21st century ?” published in 2012.

He said his election slogans: “Hope for Football, Hope for All” and “Re-Balance the Game in a Globalised 21st Century” emphasise his message of curbing the polarisation of the game into pockets of elite clubs in Europe’s richest leagues.

Looking ahead to a leadership battle he said: “I would welcome a live debate early next year with whoever else is standing, in front of the congresses of the six confederations. “I would also welcome a TV debate so that not only would the football associations know what my programme is but it would also be transparent for fans as well.”

Legend Pele raises a glass to Champagne’s FIFA bid

Pele has endorsed Jerome Champagne’s bid to become the next president of FIFA, saying he supported the 55-year-old Frenchman’s vision for the future of world soccer’s governing body yesterday.

The Brazilian, widely regarded as the world’s greatest-ever player, gave his backing in a videotaped message shown when Champagne launched his bid at a news conference in London. Pele said: “I cannot stay away from a debate which is so important for the future of football and thus, I support Jerome Champagne and his vision.”

Pele added: “Football today enjoys a lot of success but also faces many problems requiring a strong and democratic FIFA with a vision in favour of everyone, and a governance which is both universal and modern.