LONDON, May 27 (Reuters) - FIFA’s forthcoming presidential election has become a farce and should be called off, UK Sports Minister Hugh Robertson saidHis comments came after soccer’s world governing body opened ethics proceedings against both president Sepp Blatter and Mohamed bin Hammam, the man challenging him in next week’s vote.
“The FIFA presidential election campaign has descended into a farce,” Robertson said in a statement.
“With both of the candidates having allegations of corruption aimed at them the election should be suspended.”
FIFA widened its probe into allegations of impropriety by election candidates by calling Blatter to appear before an ethics hearing on Sunday, just three days before the presidential election is due to take place.
Bin Hammam was summoned on Wednesday to appear before the same inquiry along with CONCACAF president Jack Warner and two Caribbean Football Union officials.
Robertson hinted this month that national associations may consider breaking away from FIFA if the world governing body did not act clean up its act.
He said he hoped FIFA would look to root out possible corruption like the International Olympic Committee had after the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games vote scandal.
“FIFA needs to urgently reform in the way that the IOC did after Salt Lake City,” Robertson added on Friday.
“Sports governing bodies have to be transparent and accountable and change has to happen for the good of world football.”
Robertson has made vocal calls for reform at FIFA since last year’s vote for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
“Leaving FIFA is not on the agenda but all the effort at government level is on trying to get reform at FIFA,” Robertson was quoted as saying by British media this month.
England was one of the failed bidders for the 2018 tournament that will be hosted by Russia.
on Friday.
“The FIFA presidential election campaign has descended into a farce,” Robertson said in a statement.
“With both of the candidates having allegations of corruption aimed at them the election should be suspended.”
FIFA widened its probe into allegations of impropriety by election candidates by calling Blatter to appear before an ethics hearing on Sunday, just three days before the presidential election is due to take place.
Bin Hammam was summoned on Wednesday to appear before the same inquiry along with CONCACAF president Jack Warner and two Caribbean Football Union officials.
Robertson hinted this month that national associations may consider breaking away from FIFA if the world governing body did not act clean up its act.
He said he hoped FIFA would look to root out possible corruption like the International Olympic Committee had after the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games vote scandal.
“FIFA needs to urgently reform in the way that the IOC did after Salt Lake City,” Robertson added on Friday.
“Sports governing bodies have to be transparent and accountable and change has to happen for the good of world football.”
Robertson has made vocal calls for reform at FIFA since last year’s vote for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
“Leaving FIFA is not on the agenda but all the effort at government level is on trying to get reform at FIFA,” Robertson was quoted as saying by British media this month.
England was one of the failed bidders for the 2018 tournament that will be hosted by Russia.
on Friday.
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