FIFA to give national associations US750,000 each this year
World’s football governing body, FIFA is to give its 209 member association US$750,000 each this year in addition to their Financial Assistance Programme (FAP).
The pronouncement was made by President Sepp Blatter when he was given his closing remarks marking the end of the 64th FIFA congress in Sao Paolo Brazil on Wednesday 11th June 2014 and was greeted with joy and applause.
He said the money will be disbursed in two phases as each national association would receive US$250.000 immediately and the balance US$5000.000 will be given by the end of the year or in January 2015.
Blatter added: “The FIFA gold project is now value at US$7m, US$2.5m will be given to each Confederation immediately and the remaining US$4.5 will be disbursed at the end of the year.”
He didn’t mention where all these monies are coming from but FIFA normally gets huge sum of money from Television rights and sponsorships.
This comes less than a year to the FIFA elective congress in Zurich and it’s believed that it’s part of Blatter’s strategy to win vote in the presidential election as he is eligible to contest as there is no term and age limitation for the FIFA presidency.
Already he has served as President for 16 years and by the time he completes his fourth term next year he would have served for 17 years.
Blatter didn’t declare his candidacy due to new electoral rules adopted by delegates on the last day of the 64th FIFA Congress. But it looks like he’s going to stand again judging from what he said.
He said: “I know that my mandate will finish next year on 29 May in Zurich, but my mission is not finished.”
“We will build the new FIFA together. We have the foundations today because we have the budget for the next four years.
“Congress, you will decide who takes this great institution forward, but I can tell you I am ready to accompany you in the future.”
So far, the only person that have declared his intention to contest for the FIFA hot seat is the French Jerome Champagne who was formerly employed by Blatter as deputy general secretary.
Blatter also proposed a new television review system that would go well beyond the goal-line technology already being used in some countries.
He suggested that a manager could be allowed to challenge up to two refereeing decisions in a match.
He said: “If a manager disagrees with a decision, he could ask for an immediate television review with the referee,” adding that: “It’s something new.”
However Blatter further said any such plan would need to be approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB).
Meanwhile, the Brazilian FA was presented an award by FIFA during the congress for their 100 years of existence.
The Brazilian FA was established 8th June 1914 and became a member of FIFA in 1923. FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke says the governing body was happy to present such an award to the Brazilian FA as the South American country is the most successful in the history of the World Cup.
The two female co-opted members in the FIFA executive committee Moya Dodd, Asian Football Confederation Vice President and Sonia Bien-Aime from Turks & Caicos Islands were unanimously approved to serve for another year.
By Mohamed Fajah Barrie in Sao Paolo, Brazil
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