Infantino outlines three-point plan for FIFA presidency

FIFA presidential candidate Gianni Infantino has outlined his vision for football’s world governing body.

The Swiss football administrator spoke alongside two fellow FIFA presidential hopefuls at the annual general meeting of the Council of Southern African Football Association (COSAFA).

The meeting was attended by 14 association chiefs, as Infantino and fellow candidates Jerome Champagne and Tokyo Sexwale all lobbied for support.

Infantino outlined a three-point plan which, he says, “requires the help of everyone”.

“My purpose is to bring football back, to unite, and that’s what I’m trying to do for FIFA and for FIFA’s future I think it’s important to have reforms,” Infantino explained.

“That for me is the first pillar, the second pillar is about democracy, is about participation, we have to make sure that everyone participates in the decision making process of FIFA.

“The third point is about football development, what FIFA has to do is develop football. It has to speak about football.

“When I see what COSAFA is doing here with organising competitions, allowing kids, boys and girls to play football. This is exactly what needs to be done and what FIFA has to help and to encourage.”

The UEFA secretary emphasised the importance of cleaning up FIFA’s image, which has been scourged by allegations of corruption in recent years.

“We have to restore the credibility and the image of FIFA and the trust of the people in FIFA as an organisation,” Infantino said.

“In order to do this we have to implement the reforms that we were speaking about, we have to bring full financial transparency into FIFA. We have to know how the money comes in, where the money goes.

“We need to introduce good governance in FIFA, the sponsors at the end of the day and broadcasters and the partners and fans of FIFA and of UEFA are the same, more or less.

“It is certainly possible to do it and if you do the reforms you can then concentrate of football and this is what FIFA has to do.”

When asked about the current scandal engulfing FIFA, in particular suspended pair Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini, Infantino said trust needed to be placed in the judicial process.

“I don’t want to participate in any sort of speculation, I think we have to wait for the decisions that will be taken,” said Infantino.

“There is a judicial process going on by the ethics committee, then maybe there will be an appeal. There’s an appeals committee as well.”