Sepp Blatter: The Other Side

Sepp Blatter has been at the core of FIFA’s expansion of the World Cup

With Sepp Blatter, the “Grand Old Man of FIFA” stepping down, the winds of change seem to be favouring Michel Platini, if the early rumours are to be believed. Sunil Gulati, a Columbia University lecturer also seems to be in a favourable position. He also holds the enviable position of the President with United States Soccer Federation.

Given all the hullaballoo that has gone about since the FBI swooped down in Zurich and started arresting FIFA officials, it will be interesting to see whether Blatter actually faces the music or not.

In light of the recent criticism of Mr. Sepp Blatter, let’s look at the positive changes that he brought about in world football. Quietly but steadily, he garnered the support of the smaller organizations which helped him stabilize his position as the President of FIFA. While money has exchanged hands a lot, not all his contributions can be seen in negative light

Now, naysayers will say I have got my facts wrong. Shame on you, if you believe the grand old man is going to disappear quietly. As pointed out by Dileep Premchandran, in the Economic Times, how the expansionist approach helped football officials of far-flung countries line their own pockets, it is also important to note that while cementing his position as the FIFA head, he was also responsible for promoting football.

I think football should be made accessible to all. Call it my naivety but football is one sport which lets everyone compete without complaining. My experience and involvement in amateur sports has helped me understand the term “infrastructure”, whereas in football the word “infrastructure” goes for a toss, for all you need is a couple of football enthusiasts who are willing to play.

Be it bare feet, or formal shoes or football boots all you need is the will to play. From juggling to keepy-ups, there are endless ways to spend your time with the football.

If football only a game for the elite?

Sepp’s model of “profit sharing” often irked the so called football heavyweights and organizations which believe that their place at the FIFA table should be higher because they have been playing football since the time of inception. Football as a globalized entity was always going to be a precarious venture as certain national federations couldn’t accept the shifting demography of football.

But let me ask one question to all of my readers, should football be restricted to just the elite?

What are the parameters that help us determine that football’s important decisions should only be restricted to a few people? I support the “One Country One Vote” often touted by Sepp Blatter as the platform of equality that has been expanded and where there is an involvement of all the 209 Members who are a part of FIFA. Why discriminate between the Western Country and a Developing Country.

Although some of the members are questionable and they seem to have sprouted just to strengthen Sepp’s position as FIFA President time and again. At the end of the day, football is skill based, Barcelona FC has proved it, Messi one of the smallest players has proved it. There is no discrimination on the field so why should there be discrimination off the field.

The corruption charges obviously tarnish the image of the game, with officials in the red mainly. But the FIFA funding whatever the amount that has been invested into the “infrastructure” that is football stadiums and improving the coaches has benefitted most nations.

In developing countries where there are larger issues to address such as poverty, healthcare and other basic necessities, football or for that matter sport takes a back seat. War-torn countries rejoice when their team wins, thus bringing citizens together. Amidst all the poverty, the nations are united and celebrate together and FIFA has contributed in their own way to bring joy to the people.

A similar example can be that of how the UN has the backing of US and thus it was able to create its own security council and thus sideline other members whom they do not think deserve to be seated at the same table as them. Rest all are “members”.

Similarly, the US has sniffed an opportunity, in light of the Garcia Report established in 2014, which showed rampant corruption. You tell me its corruption, but isn’t football a more equal game than others. It doesn’t matter whether players are small, thin, big it is ultimately their skill which helps one make that tackle, breeze past defenders, make that arcing pass with the outside of their boot.

Blatter’s contribution

Sepp Blatter was that person, from promoting the game and destroying the hegemony of the European-South American countries hosting of the showpiece event. His role as a general secretary was responsible for globalizing the game, that continents such as Africa and Asia were able to see the World Cup.

United States hosted the World Cup at a time, when “soccer” was still at its infancy over there It is not if as the summer was very bearable at that point of time. Obviously awarding the World Cup to Qatar raised a few eyebrows, but ultimately the aim is to make the World Cup accessible to as many nations and spectators as possible.

Bringing the World Cup to countries which are richer in resources is more important as they will be able to bear the financial burden that is imposed on them by building of stadia and other facilities.

In the book Soccernomics, it has been reiterated time and again, that a World Cup is more harmful economically and that has been time and again seen in the Brazil World Cup 2014 and the recent human rights violations that are being seen in Qatar. But, just let’s step back and ask ourselves a question, how many people are able to attend a World Cup in France or in Africa, I assure you it will only be the elite few. For some the other way to view a World Cup on their own soil, is if FIFA awards it to the nation in question.

Football is often described as the most beautiful game in the world, so why let its beauty be restricted to only a few people. While Sepp has been criticised it is pertinent to note that he stuck by his principles and there are fierce supporters who are quietly mourning his resignation. As Dr. Manmohan Singh, India’s Prime Minister when he stepped down last year in light of his party’s loss, said “History will be kinder to me than the media”.

The same applies to Mr. Sepp Blatter as well given that he has often been the target of so many controversies and his often unacceptable stand on issues of racism and others. While there are some illogical decisions, that has been pointed out by John Oliver in his show, Last Week Tonight, albeit hilariously such as: Blatter’s statement on tighter shorts so as to gain more popularity for Women’s World Cup, Jack Warner and Chuck Blazer’s idiosyncrasies.

History will remember him as the person who globalized world football, a person who brought World Cup to nations where one couldn’t ever envisage the global superstars of football to descend and enthral us all.