Scala resignation, new rules shows nothing has changed for FIFA
By Sean Maslin
Meet the new FIFA, same as the old FIFA.
It almost seemed too good. After years of money laundering, backdoor payments, and “elections” it seemed that FIFA had been scared straight. After decades of dirty laundry being aired out in the public, a handful of officials being arrested, and the ouster of former President Sepp Blatter it appeared that the organization had turned a new leaf.
Lesson learned.
After FIFA passed new laws last week aimed at centralizing power, Domenico Scala the head of their Ethics committee announced his resignation today.
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Scala first started working with FIFA last year and was key in the removal of both UEFA President Michel Platini and FIFA President Sepp Blatter. FIFA announced that Sindi Mabaso Koyana, who served as Scala’s deputy in the Ethics, will take over as acting chairman.
The laws themselves gave the FIFA council the right to hire and fire members of the audit, finance, and budget committees. It should be noted that these committees were intended to be independent bodies of FIFA, which would allow them the ability to provide insight into how FIFA can improve on the issues that got them into trouble in the first place.
In a statement, Scala said:
"I am consternated about this decision, because it undermines a central pillar of the good governance of FIFA and it destroys a substantial achievement of the reforms. For this reason, I herewith declare my immediate resignation as president of the audit and compliance committee of FIFA."
Exactly how these amendments were passed has also come under scrutiny. According to the Telegraph during last week’s FIFA Congress held in Mexico City President Gianni Infantino held a surprise vote aimed at breaking down some of the reforms put in place last year.
In his own statement to the press Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein, who ran against Infantino during the FIFA presidential election, said:
"The way the vote was put to the 209 members of the FIFA congress, as well as the effect of that vote, was a complete betrayal to all of those who thought they had voted for change, transparency, fair play and reform…It is one of the biggest blows FIFA has received in the last two years; the ramifications of which are massive."
FIFA has stated that Mr. Scala has “misinterpreted the purposes of the decision.”
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When looking at this situation one has to wonder if FIFA really does care about their own public image. Within a year the organization has been rocked to their core with scandal after scandal. They have lost their former President, two of the heads of their six football Confederations (CONCACAF actually lost two presidents in one year!), three Vice Presidents, a Secretary General, and countless football association presidents and officials. All because their organization could not conduct business in an ethical manner.
Yet here we are one year later and FIFA still does not get it. With the entire world watching their every move the organization continues to shoot itself with the foot making curious decisions. Although this move might have sounded great in the boardrooms in Zurich it doesn’t really seem like a well thought out plan.
So what is the blowback from this? It really depends upon the FIFA members like Mr. Hussein who at least appear to be interested in reform. If Mr. Infantino continues to make spurious decisions such as this then they are going to have to put pressure on them using resources such as sponsors to keep them from going down the same path. The ongoing investigation by the United States Department of Justice should help.
It is a sad day for football fans. After a fantastic club season and two upcoming tournaments that should provide plenty of entertainment, FIFA have once again proven to be their own worst enemy. Rather than putting attention on the pitch their selfish attitude has allowed the attention to be placed on themselves.