Jerome Champagne Confirms FIFA Presidency Bid

Jerome Champagne, the former FIFA deputy general secretary, has revealed he will run to be the President of the soccer governing body and has already received the backing of soccer icon Pele.

Frenchman Champagne, 55, a former diplomat, worked at FIFA for 11 years between 1999 and 2010 and is a former deputy Secretary General of world football’s governing body.

Champagne, 55, will stand on a modernising ticket, though he wants to keep in place many of the game’s traditional values.

“It is a very emotional issue for me,” he said. “As a teenager I worked at France Football, which was founded by Rimet in 1946. Now 37 years later I am in a position to run for an office Jules Rimet presided over. You can have these circles in life.”

However, he admits he will struggle to win the election if Blatter, who will be 78 in March, decides to stand for a fifth term of office.

Asked if he could beat Blatter, Champagne, a former diplomat, said: “I don’t think so, he’s someone of relevance.”

He added: “I don’t know whether Mr Blatter will run or not. Of course as matter of politeness I informed him what I was planning to do.

“I don’t know what he will do. Some people say I am manipulated by him but I tell you ‘no’. I stand because I believe in what I saying.”

Current President Sepp Blatter is yet to decide whether he will bid for a fifth term and will not announce his intentions until just before the FIFA congress in June.

All the indications are however that he will run, and that means he will be up against his former right-hand man Champagne, who ran Blatter’s successful election campaign in 2002.

As well as working with Blatter as FIFA’s international advisor for much of his 11 years in Zurich, Champagne’s introduction into the world of football politics came through his fellow Frenchman and UEFA President Michel Platini, who he could also face in the election.

If both confirm they will stand, Champagne is willing to take on both in a televised debate.

“I would welcome a TV debate with anyone else who will stand. Football is so important for so many millions, let us show the world that we are open and democratic and transparent.

“The election next year is so important it will define football for the next 15 or 20 years so let us have a deep, meaningful discussion.”

Pele Backs Champagne

Former Brazilian soccer player Pele, 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.”

“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.

“FIFA must continue doing what has been done well in the past, taking its competitions and the World Cup to all countries and also continue its development programmes, but has to adapt itself to the 21st century and to the world of today.”

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