New FIFA president will not end problems: Bach

Image
AFP Kuala Lumpur
Last Updated : Jul 30 2015 | 3:48 PM IST
FIFA's problems will not end with the election of a new president as football's scandal-tainted world body needs drastic reform, International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach told AFP today.
Bach would not comment on the announcement by UEFA leader Michel Platini yesterday that he was a candidate to take Sepp Blatter's place as FIFA president when an election is held next February.
But he said in an interview that all candidates had to embrace "transparency".
"That applies to each candidate. It applies particularly because FIFA's problems will not be over with the election of a new president.
"There must be reforms to the FIFA structure, transparency must be improved, the other structures must be transformed. The election of a president alone will not be enough."
The IOC chief pointedly avoided involvement in the looming FIFA election battle however. "I am not going to make a comment on the election of federation president. It is not for me to judge," he said.
FIFA was rocked by the arrest of seven football officials accused of taking bribes on the eve of its Congress on May 27.
Bach spoke at the first day of the congress and called for reforms. The following day Blatter was reelected to a fifth term as president but within four days he had announced that he would stand down.
The seven FIFA officials are among 14 people charged by US authorities of involvement in more than $150 million of bribes for football marketing contracts.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jul 30 2015 | 3:48 PM IST

Next Story