Bach: Swift Action Needed at FIFA

(ATR) IOC president Thomas Bach says in order for the federation to regain credibility, FIFA must accelerate the process of reformation.

"Enough is enough. We hope that now, finally, everyone at FIFA has at last understood that they cannot continue to remain passive. They must act swiftly to regain credibility because you cannot forever dissociate the credibility of FIFA from the credibility of football," Bach said.

Bach’s strong comments came following the announcement of Blatter’s 90-day suspension at the hands of the FIFA ethics commission. Secretary general Jerome Valcke and FIFA vice president Michel Platini were also handed short-term bans by the federation.

IOC member Issa Hayatou has stepped in as the interim president of FIFA until Blatter is cleared to return or a new president is elected on February 26, 2016 at the extraordinary congress. Hayatou says he will not run for the position once the interim period is finished.

Several people have put their name in the hat as candidates to replace Blatter, including Platini, Chung Mong-joon and Brazilian footballer Zico. Platini intends to run despite his current suspension, but Chung Mong-joon will no longer be able to as a result of a six-year ban handed down by the ethics committee on Thursday.

Bach says the problems facing FIFA will not be solved simply by electing a new leader.

"FIFA must realize that this is now about more than just a list of candidates. This is also a structural problem and will not be solved simply by the election of a new President."

The IOC president wants to see football reforms that fall in line with the reforms Bach initiated at the IOC last year.

"They must do two things immediately: they must accelerate and deepen the reform process in order to comply with accountability, transparency and all the principles of good governance, as expressed in our reform program, Olympic Agenda 2020."

Bach says the federation should also consider someone from outside of world football to lead the federation.

"They should also be open for a credible external presidential candidate of high integrity, to accomplish the necessary reforms and bring back stability and credibility to FIFA," said Bach.

Written by KevinNutley

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