The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsWith the scandal surrounding Sepp Blatter’s appointment for a fifth term as President of FIFA, the powers at the UEFA towers are reported to be arranging a meeting to discuss what the response of the majority of the European nations will be.
Despite reports that up to 18 of the 54 European nations that make up UEFA, voted for the 79 year old Swiss incumbent, there is a feeling amongst a large proportion of the most influential European members that a boycott of the 2018 World Cup could occur and nations including England, Holland and the reigning world champions Germany could place serious pressure on the rest of the members.
The breakaway from FIFA could also have the backing of influential members elsewhere in the world with the USA, Australia and the South American countries reportedly voting for challenger Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein.
One suggestion that has been mooted is that until FIFA reforms a European Championships could be held every two years with invites given to countries outside of Europe including Brazil, Argentina and the USA.
With the current European Championships for the first time involving 24 teams, a move to 32 sides would not be a logistical nightmare and should attract the necessary sponsors, including ones that are monitoring the FIFA scandal with interest including Visa, Coca-Cola and Hyundai.
One obstacle could be the reported 18 teams from Europe that voted for Blatter’s which include both France and Spain who were reportedly reluctant to upset the Qatari investment that is prevelent in their football industry. However with the South American nations now looking set to back a UEFA stance, it could force the Spanish and French associations, as well as the others, Russia aside, to join what is likely to be a more lucrative tournament involving nations outside of Europe.
What this would mean for the legitimacy of the upcoming 2018 and 2022 World Cups is yet to be seen but should the majority of the most influential sides in world football decide enough is enough with Blatter, and with sponsors likely to pull out of sponsoring a FIFA led World Cup devoid of many of it’s most regular sides, a domino effect of nations backing reform and the removal of Blatter could be the most significant aspect of an extended European Championships involving nations outside of Europe.
The upcoming UEFA meeting is likely to discuss all options but it will take strong leadership from President Michel Platini to push for reform, alongside England’s FA chairman Greg Dyke and the nations of the Dutch, German and the vocal Danish associations to advocate for reform and go to all lengths to break the Blatter led FIFA
