The man hoping to replace Sepp Blatter as president of FIFA has claimed at least half of its billion-pound income should be pledged to football development projects for its member associations.
Gianni Infantino, currently general secretary of UEFA, has put forward his bid with a 45-page manifesto covering governance reform, democracy and football development.
Of the latter, Infantino said that as president he would earmark a minimum of US$40m (£28m, €36.8m) over four years for football development investment in each confederation (CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, OFC, AFC and UEFA), while at least US$5m (£3.5m, €4.6m) will be offered to each of its 209 members. FIFA’s revenue hit US$2.1bn (£1.5bn, €1.9bn) in 2014 following the World Cup in Brazil.
“As a benchmark, and after all necessary adjustments, I believe that FIFA should easily be able to earmark at least 50 per cent of its income for direct distribution to its Member Associations for football development projects,” said the manifesto.
“This translates into a very significant increase in the Financial Assistance Programme (FAP) and other development and solidarity programmes available for Member Associations and Confederations.”
Infantino highlighted the need for “tailor-made development programmes” for each member as “for some, the top priority may be infrastructure, for others, it may be education programmes”. He pledged special assistance for infrastructure projects – national stadiums, technical centres, youth academies – and assistance for materials such as kits and balls.
An exchange and internship programme for administrators, technical staff, youth, grassroots and women’s coaching, and referees was put forward by Infantino to “promote cultural understanding between footballing communities”.
A “concrete operational plan” to increase participation for boys and girls and “intensified efforts” to promote the women’s game has also been promised to member associations.
Winning the presidency of the
beleaguered organisation would see Infantino push for a 40-team World Cup – an initiative
discussed by the FIFA Reform Committee last December.
“This is what will shape my approach if I am elected FIFA President on 26 February 2016. I will draw upon all of my experience in football administration and place every ounce of knowledge and skill that I have into renewing FIFA… truly for the good of our beautiful game,” said Infantino.
The vote for the FIFA presidency will take place on 26 February 2016. Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, Musa Bility, Jerome Champagne, Sheikh Salman and Tokyo Sexwale are all vying for the post.
