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FIFA candidate Champagne: Ready to rebalance and reform

Xinhua, January 28, 2016 Adjust font size:

FIFA presidency candidate Jerome Champagne said he would like to be a reformist to lead the world soccer governing body through the crisis.

The 57-year-old Frenchman spoke to Xinhua by phone before FIFA announced the five candidates on Tuesday, which also included Gianni Infantino, Prince Ali bin al Hussein, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al Khalifa and Tokyo Sexwale.

FOOTBALL FOR ALL

Champagne, a FIFA consultant and director of international relations for 11 years (1999-2010), is aiming to return to the organization which has been in a deepening crisis since May 2015.

"Football is for everyone, this sport can not be like basketball, football should never be centered in one league," said Champagne, whose motto "HOPE FOR FOOTBALL" appears on his official campaign website.

"People all around the world have the right to play football, that is why I pick up this campaign".

REBALANCE

Champagne said the main task for next FIFA president should be "rebalance the game in a globalized 21st century".

"The imbalances in football today are our greatest challenge. They are endangering the promise of our sport - its universal nature and the opportunity that it gives everyone to play and to win," he said.

Champagne said there are huge gaps in the development of the game between countries, and the ever-expanding globalization has widened these gaps.

"Twenty-six years ago, Europe was divided, but football was united. Today it is not possible, all the good clubs are in western Europe," he said.

"India spent millions of euros to get the TV right of the English Premier league, but the English Premier League invested zero in Indian football," said Champagne.

"Every country should have its own strong leagues," he added.

Champagne said should he be elected, he would increase development funds and build more fields in less developed countries.

The Frenchman also emphasized the importance of women's football, saying it was necessary to establish a quota system for women's representation in all football institutions.

"FIFA Women's World Cup, which stared from China, has been proven to be successful, then why not a World Cup for clubs?" he said.

REFORMIST

Champagne, who left FIFA in 2010 but didn't leave football, has been considered as a reformist.

The former FIFA official said it was key to apply the highest standards of transparency, such as publishing the salaries of president and top officials and ensuring open bidding for contracts.

He insisted that inside FIFA, the role of national associations has been underestimated and should be strengthened.

"It is necessary to strengthen the role of national associations, who are the only members of FIFA," Champagne said.

The Frenchman also agreed to apply bolder measures to change the refereeing system, like introducing "orange card", fourth substitution in extra time and video assistance.

Champagne said if he was elected, he would open the top levels of FIFA administration to worldwide recruitment in a move to upgrade the management level.

"I want to continue which has been done correctly in 40 years, and to improve what needs to change to adapt to the 21st century," he said. Endi