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A personal victory

May 30,2015 - Last updated at May 30,2015

Even though HRH Prince Ali lost the election for the FIFA leadership, the words he uttered before the casting of votes will continue to echo loud and clear for many years to come.

The prince was well spoken, dignified and to the point in addressing the pressing issues facing FIFA.

He offered a precise strategy for dealing with them, which won him the admiration of many in the world.

Prince Ali outlined the dangers facing the football association and what should be done to save it from becoming the business empire of some self-centred and shortsighted people.

“FIFA,” the Prince said, “is not a company. It should not be run as a company.”

More to the point, the prince said: “FIFA needs leadership that governs, guides and protects our national associations; leadership that accepts responsibility for its actions and does not pass blame; leadership that restores confidence in the hundreds of millions of football fans around the world.”

This must have been the raison d’être of the association upon its formation, a basis that seems to have been terribly distorted, tainted by massive-scale corruption.

FIFA should “service” all football lovers in the world, not a closed group of despot-like geriatrics clinging to the chair.

Unfortunately, the prince’s sincere efforts and the support of so many well-intentioned, far-sighted football delegates convened to elect the FIFA president for the next four years, could not overcome pro status quo representatives who refused to be budged and accept change, some out of conviction, others under coercion.

But that will not be for long.

Price Ali is young; he is only 39. He has a power base and has gathered a large constituency of supporters.

 

There is no doubt that he will, and must, run again after four years, by which time revelations and developments within the association will hopefully shed light on the unethical dealings of an entity that, perhaps more than others, should show fair play and true sportsmanship.

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