Stan's 5-Point Stance: A Plan for FIFA to Cleanse Itself
In this week's five-point stance, Stan Collymore outlines a five-point plan to fix FIFA after the U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday brought indictments against 14 high-ranking officials on charges of corruption.
I am disgusted, dismayed and angry, but I'm not surprised that these revelations about FIFA have come to light. The FBI and the Department of justice in the U.S. have uncovered a very murky image of FIFA that many have talked about over the years, but many of us have wondered whether sponsors and national FAs would have the backbone to fight them on it.
The Americans have done it, so huge thanks to the Department of Justice and FBI for doing a job we honestly should have done in Europe.
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Quite simply, FIFA now needs a complete overhaul. Here are five points that I want to see implemented.
1. Sepp Blatter must resign now
I would like Sepp Blatter to resign immediately. Even if there is no suggestion of personal wrongdoing on his part, all of this happened on his watch, and that means he takes responsibility and goes.
2. Put a football man in charge of FIFA
I want to see a well-respected football man in charge of the global game. Franz Beckenbauer, Johan Cruyff, players of this kind of calibre, who are well respected globally and have already had a taste of football poliitcs.
That is with the greatest repect to Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, who is seen as the best option at the moment (h/t ESPN FC). He comes from an administrative background, and he appears to have the support of the majority of UEFA's national associations.
But for me, a football man is best for the job, and I want Cruyff or Beckenbauer.
3. World Cup votes should be completely transparent
I want a completely transparent voting process.
No more meetings behind closed doors.
No more watches, bribes and cash.
Under my plan, the American delegate will have to hold a press conference when voting for the World Cup and say, "I'm voting for this country, and here's why."
Likewise England, and likewise every other country.
4. Block voting for associations
It's time to have block voting based on the global importance of associations.
Although I want to see African, Caribbean and South American nations have the right to vote in a democratic process, I think these revelations have shown that some associations are more bribable than others.
I want to see the days gone by that Bayern Munich, Newcastle and the England national team have to go to Trinidad to secure Jack Warner's vote.
5. Time for UEFA boycott
Perhaps most importantly, I want to see Michel Platini show some balls on behalf of the behemoth that is UEFA and boycott the Russia and Qatar World Cups.
If we implement those measures, we will start to get change.
If we don't, sponsors will ride out the storm and continue to back FIFA. Some of those who took bribes will get prison sentences, but the process will not cleanse itself.
