Dutch FA tells Sepp Blatter to check Twitter to learn how he's ruining FIFA
On Tuesday, Michael van Praag, the head of the Dutch Football Association, spoke out against Sepp Blatter, calling on the FIFA president to end his quest for a fifth term. The KNVB president cited corruption allegations that have damaged the reputation of football's governing body under the 78-year-old's watch as reason for a change atop its hierarchy.
"FIFA's image has deteriorated because of everything that's happened in recent years," said van Praag at the 64th FIFA Congress. "Few people still take FIFA seriously and however you look at it, Blatter is mainly responsible."
Recent revelations of bribery being behind Qatar's successful bid to host the 2022 World Cup have overshadowed the lead-up to this year's tournament. Amidst the scandal, Blatter has claimed the negativity surrounding Qatar's World Cup plans are rooted in discrimination and racism, rather than an attempt to eliminate corruption.
All the while, the current FIFA boss has unabashedly campaigned for another term, recently telling CONCACAF delegates that his desire to be FIFA president "burns stronger than ever." The North and Central American confederation is but one stop on the re-election campaign tour.
Blatter has been on a mission ahead of the World Cup, drumming up support and rallying FIFA members to back him ahead of the election next May. And it seems to be working. It's widely anticipated that UEFA will be the only confederation to oppose the Swiss leader's fifth term.
Joining van Praag in opposition has been English FA vice-chairman David Gil, who told Sky Sports in Brazil that Blatter should not stand for re-election as president. Gil made his comments after growing increasingly ill at ease with Blatter's ongoing defense of Qatar's 2022 World Cup bid.
The statement was backed by English FA chairman Greg Dyke, who told Blatter, "Many of us are deeply troubled by your reaction [to the allegations of corruption to do with Qatar]. It is time to stop attacking the messenger and consider the message."
While some might question the motivation behind the growing anti-Blatter sentiment among UEFA officials — considering UEFA president Michel Platini has long been at odds with the FIFA leader — it mirrors public perception among most football fans.
As Van Praag pointed out, the canyon between Blatter’s self-awareness and how most fans view FIFA is vast.
If you look at FIFA’s reputation over the last seven or eight years, people link FIFA to corruption and bribery and all kinds of old boy's networks. Do you ever look at Twitter? You'd see that millions of people are against you.
Despite the public shaming by UEFA members, Blatter was all smiles on Tuesday evening, as he addressed attendees of the FIFA Congress.
“Tonight we are in a festive mood," he said. “If there are any problems perhaps we can sort them [tomorrow].” Later, he danced on stage, as the Colombian FA accepted an award, and after that he suggested that "more than 400 billion fans will watch the games." Cumulatively, that would mean an average of 89% of the earth's population watches all 64 of the World Cup matches.
It’s all well and good (and perhaps a bit too easy) to think of Blatter in terms of the mad king, but it’s little less than earnest when these criticisms come without a direct challenge to his leadership. UEFA members may be snapping for a change, but it’s a toothless jawing as long as they fail to get behind a legitimate candidate to replace him. As it stands, the only person standing in the way of Blatter’s re-election is former FIFA executive Jerome Champagne.
Running Champagne out against Blatter is a bit like setting Bob Dole to go against Bill Clinton. It’s an unlikely usurper who has nothing to lose by challenging a popular incumbent. Eventually, the unhappy members of UEFA will have to put up a legitimate candidate, or else shut up about the illegitimate one that keeps getting elected.