Football needs a new broom to sweep clean

Peristent allegations have turned into charges that are bringing the game into disrepute

FIFA president Sepp Blatter at the Fifa headquarters in Zurich. Michael Buholzer / AFP

It may be the beautiful game, but international football has been tainted by some very ugly accusations. Claims of corruption have been swirling around for years, but this week things took a dramatic turn when Swiss police swooped on a Zurich hotel to arrest members of the sport’s ruling body, Fifa. They were acting on behalf of American prosecutors, who have charged nine Fifa officials and another five people over bribery counts allegedly involving more than $150 million (Dh550m) over 24 years. Swiss authorities have also announced a separate investigation into the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. These are very serious matters, and the police and prosecutors must be allowed to do their jobs in pursuing them.

Many involved in the sport, including major sponsors such as Visa, Coca-Cola and Hyundai, have expressed concern about this week’s developments. Others, including past players Diego Maradona and Gary Lineker, have been more vocal in their condemnation of Fifa and in saying where they think the buck should stop for the continuing damage to the game’s reputation.

At the centre of all this is Sepp Blatter, FIFA’s long-time president who, it must be stressed, is not among those facing charges. Mr Blatter, 79, was first elected in 1998 and is the leading candidate in the presidential election that is due to be held today, although there have been calls for the vote to be delayed. He can point to many major achievements during his tenure – including expanding the reach of football to the point where it truly is the world game. Interestingly, one of the countries that has begun to embrace football in recent years is the United States – and it would appear that as the American public began to take an interest in the game they call soccer, the FBI began to take an interest in the way Fifa does business.

Again, nothing has been proven, but Fifa has clearly been diminished by the sheer weight and scope of the allegations against it. In the interests of all the football-playing countries and the billions of fans, it’s time for change. For the good of the game he loves, Mr Blatter might seriously consider stepping aside and allow the total restructuring of Fifa. The world game needs a new figurehead and a new ruling committee who are completely free from the baggage of the past and are able to kick the ball forward.