Karl-Heinz Rummenigge joins in calls for FIFA reforms

Thu 2nd Jun 2011 | FIFA

FIFA president, Sepp Blattere’s re-election yesterday came as no surprise, but European Club Association (ECA) chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has called for a drastic change of FIFA’s governance structure.

Following the election yesterday in Zurich in which Blatter received 186 votes from the 203 cast, Rummenigge said: “The recent happenings have once more proven that FIFA needs a change in its whole structure.”

He continued: ”as chairman of the European Club Association, I request FIFA to immediately introduce democratic and transparent structures and procedures.

“European clubs will no longer accept that they do not participate in the decision-making when it comes to club related matters.

“We will closely follow FIFA’s development in this respect in the future and take appropriate measures, if there is no improvement.”

Rummenigge’s comments echo the FA’s calls for reform within FIFA following the allegations of corruption and bribery which forced Blatter’s main challenger, Mohamed bin Hammam, to withdraw following his suspension from ‘football related activity’ by the FIFA Ethics Committee.

Speaking at the FIFA congress following his victory, Blatter said: "I thank you for your trust and confidence from the bottom of my heart."

"Our pyramid is intact, the base, the foundation is strong and together we have four years to continue on our path and do our job.

"We will put FIFA's ship back on the right course in clear, transparent waters. We need some time to do it, but we shall do it.

"Today something marvellous happened and I'd simply like to tell you I'm deeply moved and honoured. It's a challenge, a new one for me, and I accept it."

FA chairman, David Bernstein, had put a proposal to congress to delay the vote but 172 of 206 voters opted against a delay.

However, following the election, Bernstein released a statement: "After hearing the speech from Sepp Blatter, we believe the calls we have made for greater transparency and better governance have been worthwhile."

"While we did not succeed in deferring the presidential election, it was positive to be joined by 16 other nations in supporting our democratic request for the vote to be delayed, while a further 17 nations abstaining clearly shows that we are not alone or isolated in our views in relation to the current situation FIFA finds itself in."

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