Hayatou: Scandal can aid FIFA

Interim FIFA president Issa Hayatou believes the ongoing criminal investigation engulfing world football’s governing body will assist its recovery.

FIFA has been reeling for months as it faces allegations of corruption, with president Sepp Blatter and vice-president Michel Platini both suspended.

However, Hayatou believes the scandal can be of benefit to the organisation in the long run, forcing it to become more transparent and accountable.

“Last week, the FIFA Executive Committee approved reforms that will help to lay the foundations for a new way of managing football globally, with important changes such as a more accountable FIFA governance structure, the introduction of term limits and centralised integrity checks, and greater representation for women,” Hayatou said in an open letter published by FIFA Weekly.

“We saw the authorities acting as a part of their investigations into wrongdoing in football. FIFA remains in full support of these actions. They are a vital part of our painful journey to repair FIFA’s image, and to build a progessional and ethical organisation that is fit for purpose.

“These two processes – our reforms and the ongoing investigation – are necessary for FIFA’s recovery. On the one hand, we are building a new framework strong enough to deter future wrongdoing.

“On the other hand, we are working with the authorities to support their investigations into wrongdoing under the old system.

“It is only through this two-sided process that we can guarantee that FIFA will recover fully from the crisis.

“We took a big step forward last week, but it will take more than a vote on reforms to fix the problems we have faced. It will take a change of culture from the top to bottom.