Former FIFA deputy secretary Jerome Champagne announced on Monday that he will run for FIFA President in 2015. The 55-year-old Frenchman has been rumored to be a possible candidate for the job and finally made it official at a press conference on Monday.
Jerome Champagne challenges Sepp Blatter for FIFA presidency
The former FIFA official and French Diplomat officially launched his campaign for the 2015 FIFA Presidential elections on Monday.
Christof Koepsel
Champagne is a former French diplomat who served as the diplomatic adviser and chief of protocol for the 1998 World Cup organizing committee. He joined FIFA in 1999 and served as a presidential adviser, helping Sepp Blatter to win re-election in 2002. He was rewarded with the deputy secretary-general post and served several other positions as well before leaving the organization in 2010.
During Monday’s press conference Champagne said that FIFA needs to adapt to the changing world and stressed the importance of the upcoming elections.
“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.”
The new candidate offered some ideas on how to improve the game in his press conference as well including a two- to three-minute penalty box for “in-between fouls committed in the heat of the moment” like a player on a yellow card who removes his shirt to celebrate a goal. He also suggested that only team captains be allowed to approach an official and that the ball should be moved forward 10 yards if a free kick decision is challenged.
Champagne called for televised debates between himself and any other candidates that choose seek election and labeled the English Premier League as a “communist system” based on how it distributes money among the teams.
Former footballer Pele penned an open letter for Champagne’s website endorsing him for the job, which likely means his campaign is doomed to underachieve and fail to live up to the expectations.
Sepp Blatter has yet to announce if he plans to seek re-election in 2015 and his ultimate decision will determine whether this next election is an excerise in futility or a potential chance to bring legitimate change to FIFA.
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