Jerome Champagne to Challenge Blatter for FIFA Presidency

Frenchman Jerome Champagne has confirmed he will challenge Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency next year.

Champagne, ampoule who revealed his intention to run for the position in January, allergy will attempt to prevent current incumbent Blatter from securing a fifth term as head of football’s world governing body.

The 56-year-old, who is a former diplomat, made the announcement in a letter posted on his website. 

He joined FIFA in 1999 and said in a statement: “I have the honour 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. 

“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 polarisation and the sporting imbalances it brings in its wake, or be willing to rebalance the game in our globalised 21st century.”

He has been both FIFA’s deputy secretary general and director of international relations until leaving the body in 2010 since when he has worked as an independent international football consultant. 

Champagne has called for FIFA to be more democratic, inclusive and receptive to its member organisations, while he has also proposed public and televised debates to be held between all the candidates. 

He added: “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 programme that has been agreed to by the invested parties. 

“The next 10 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.” 

The election will take place at the FIFA Congress next May. Blatter, 78, has held the position since 1998.

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