Close Menu
    Facebook Instagram LinkedIn
    • العربية (Arabic)
    • English
    • Français (French)
    Facebook Instagram LinkedIn
    Middle East Transparent
    • Home
    • Categories
      1. Headlines
      2. Features
      3. Commentary
      4. Magazine
      Featured
      Headlines The Wall Street Journal

      A New Palestinian Offer for Peace With Israel

      Recent
      6 July 2025

      A New Palestinian Offer for Peace With Israel

      3 July 2025

      Why al-Sharaa’s success in Syria is good for Israel and the US

      27 June 2025

      The Poisoned Chalice: President Trump’s Opportunity with Iran

    • Contact us
    • Archives
    • Subscribe
    • العربية (Arabic)
    • English
    • Français (French)
    Middle East Transparent
    You are at:Home»Categories»International Sports»Winners and losers from the FIFA Presidential election

    Winners and losers from the FIFA Presidential election

    0
    By David Owen on 4 March 2016 International Sports

     I have put together a list of prospective winners and losers as a consequence of Gianni Infantino’s victory in the race for the FIFA Presidency, the most important Presidential election in sports since Thomas Bach became International Olympic Committee (IOC) President in September 2013.

    WINNERS

    The United States

    Infantino has pledged to launch the host-selection process for the 2026 FIFA World Cup within his first 90 days as FIFA President.

    At this moment, admittedly more than a decade away from kick-off, the USA appears red-hot favourite to secure the right to stage its second World Cup.

    The man from Brig’s manifesto gives the impression of pledging a 40-team World Cup.

    And while the phrase “naturally, this must be properly debated with all the stakeholders involved” affords some wriggle-room, Infantino would probably have to deal with some disappointed supporters if he now backs away from the idea – not that he is showing any intention of doing so in these his first days in the job.

    There are only a certain number of countries that could comfortably cope with a tournament of that scale.

    The USA is obviously one.

    China – thought by some to have backed the former UEFA general secretary in preference to Asian Football Confederation President Shaikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa – is plainly another.

    The Asian colossus might, however, be a better bet for a later tournament – provided, of course, that Qatar keeps the 2022 World Cup, about which more later.

    Image title
    Sunil Gulati, left, and the United States could be among those most to benefit from the election of Gianni Infantino, right, as the new President of FIFA ©Getty Images

    Sunil Gulati

    The white hair and bird-like dartings of the Indian-born United States Soccer Federation (USSF) President were much in evidence during the interminable second round of the voting process, all one hour and 17 minutes of it, in Zurich last Friday.

    It appears he was beavering away trying to ensure (with great success) that as many as possible of those who, like the USA, backed Prince Ali bin al-Hussein in the first round, switched their allegiance to Infantino.

    The new FIFA President owes Gulati, who is also a FIFA Executive Committee member, a big debt of gratitude, certainly for the clear-cut nature of his ultimate victory.

    Some of the smart money now sees the 56-year-old economics lecturer as the likely next FIFA secretary general.

    This will be an absolutely critical role in Infantino’s first term, until 2019, owing to the damage done to FIFA’s finances by the current crisis.

    Simply stated, if FIFA’s status as one of the most productive money machines in sport cannot be re-established, and re-established quickly, then Infantino will have to pare back, or delay implementation of, the development spending promises that played a big part in getting him elected.

    Appointment of a US secretary general, along with the kick-starting of the 2026 process, might well be enough to grab the attention of the wealthy and powerful US corporate sector and induce some of them to invest in FIFA’s future.

    It would be as well to make an impression with this audience before September 2017, when a US city – Los Angeles – might well be chosen as host of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, providing a major distraction.

    Vero Communications

    By marshalling a savvy, aggressive campaign, the London-based sports election specialists ensured that their energetic, extravagantly multilingual client gave himself every chance of pulling off a come-from-behind victory.

    Being able to claim that they guided the man who is now the most powerful figure in world football to victory in the most important contest of his life should clearly act as a pretty eye-catching calling-card in the never-ending quest for new business.

    More than that, though, there must now be a good chance that Infantino will be invited to join the most exclusive club in the sport – the IOC – this summer or next, conceivably at the same time as another Vero client, Lord Sebastian Coe, recently-elected President of another problem-plagued body, the International Association of Athletics Federations.

    While the 45-year-old Infantino would of course be expected to be his own man in this new role, one might be forgiven for surmising that the bonds formed in this election may help Vero to ensure that Olympic clients are granted a full and sympathetic hearing ahead of future contests, starting with the race for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, where the company is representing Paris.

    LOSERS

    Africa

    As the biggest of the six football Confederations, with 54 member Associations, Africa might have been expected to play a key role in determining the identity of the next FIFA President.

    As it transpired, however, the continent mainly backed the wrong man.

    While a few countries probably switched to Infantino in the second round, after the momentum had swung decisively his way, I believe the vast majority of African associations – over 40 – cast their first vote for Shaikh Salman.

    While the continent may still emerge as a significant beneficiary of what increased development spending Infantino does engineer, this may leave it in a weakened position when negotiating other matters, such as World Cup slots.

    A month ago at Wembley, Infantino mused publicly about the possibility of appointing an African secretary general.

    I have to say I would be surprised if that now happens.

    Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah

    It has been a difficult year for Sheikh Ahmad, President of the Association of National Olympic Committees, who looked at one stage as if he might emerge as a candidate for the FIFA Presidency himself.

    Though he was frequently absent from his designated top-table seat at Friday’s FIFA Congress, there is some divergence of opinion as to how diligently the Sheikh, who is also a FIFA ExCo member, was batting for Shaikh Salman in the closing stages of the election.

    Nevertheless, such a clear-cut defeat for his Asian football protégé is bound to be interpreted in some circles as somewhat diminishing his stature as one of the Big Beasts of international sport.

    The contest looks to have split Arab football clean down the middle, with United Arab Emirates, Syria, Oman, Yemen and others thought not to have supported Shaikh Salman. (Sheikh Ahmad’s home association Kuwait is suspended and therefore could not vote.)

    Eyes in the Olympic world will now switch to other fields, such as the process of selecting those to be inducted as new IOC members in Rio de Janeiro this summer, for a fresh gauge as to Sheikh Ahmad’s standing.

    Worth keeping your eye on in this regard is the debate over the new IOC member for Greece, a symbolically hugely important role for obvious historical reasons.

    In what I am given to understand is currently a four-horse race, there look to be two heavyweight contenders.

    If the nod goes eventually to Spyros Capralos, President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, it will mean, among other things, that Sheikh Ahmad is likely to have got the better of this skirmish; if the choice is Isidoros Kouvelos, President of the International Olympic Academy, it would suggest that others have won the day.

    The failure to help secure the election of Shaikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa as the new FIFA President is being interpreted as a blow for powerbroker Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah ©Getty Images
    The failure to help secure the election of Shaikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa as the new FIFA President is being interpreted as a blow for powerbroker Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah ©Getty Images

    Qatar

    Having won the 2022 World Cup as part of that still hugely controversial 2018/2022 simultaneous host selection process, it would be understandable if the Qataris were a tad uneasy about the direction recent events have taken.

    The United States finished runner-up in that 2022 race and could hence be portrayed as the obvious substitute host should the initial decision get overturned in some way.

    Powerful European football interests would, moreover, I suggest shed not the smallest tear if the tournament were moved to a location enabling it to take place in its usual time-slot during the northern hemisphere summer, avoiding the necessity of rescheduling the traditional European club season.

    In the Qataris’ shoes, I think I would be relieved at early indications that FIFA’s new man has no intention of seeking to switch the competition without yet feeling completely reassured.

    David Owen worked for 20 years for the Financial Times in the United States, Canada, France and the UK. He ended his FT career as sports editor after the 2006 World Cup and is now freelancing, including covering the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the 2010 World Cup and London 2012.
    INSIDE THE GAMES
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email WhatsApp Copy Link
    Previous ArticleIOC TO TAKE NO ACTION AGAINST SHEIKH AHMAD
    Next Article FIFAntino the reformer?
    Subscribe
    Notify of
    guest

    guest

    0 Comments
    Newest
    Oldest Most Voted
    Inline Feedbacks
    View all comments
    RSS Recent post in french
    • Nouvelle approche des Forces Libanaises: Alliances ou Endiguement ? 5 July 2025 Kamal Richa
    • Ce que nous attendons de vous, Monsieur le Président 3 July 2025 Michel Hajji Georgiou
    • Il faut être pour Nétanyahou lorsqu’il affaiblit la menace iranienne ; et ardemment contre lui lorsqu’il détruit Gaza 1 July 2025 Denis Charbit
    • En Syrie, la mystérieuse disparition du corps de Hafez el-Assad 11 June 2025 Apolline Convain
    • En Syrie, après les massacres d’alaouites, la difficulté de recueillir des témoignages : « Je n’ai pas confiance » 5 June 2025 Madjid Zerrouky
    RSS Recent post in arabic
    • عن “الإرث السوري” للبنان (مع تحديث وخرائط جديدة) 8 July 2025 جاك كيلو
    • كربلاء.. وسرديتها 6 July 2025 فاخر السلطان
    • مقال “وول ستريت جورنال” الذي يثير ضجة: إمارة إبراهيمية في “الخليل”! 6 July 2025 الشفّاف
    • نهج “القوات اللبنانية” الجديد في الشارع المسيحي: تحالفات أم احتواء؟ 5 July 2025 كمال ريشا
    • (تحديث) رسالة “سرية” من “الإصلاحيين” إلى إسرائيل عرضوا فيها دعمهم لتغيير النظام 5 July 2025 شفاف- خاص
    26 February 2011

    Metransparent Preliminary Black List of Qaddafi’s Financial Aides Outside Libya

    6 December 2008

    Interview with Prof Hafiz Mohammad Saeed

    7 July 2009

    The messy state of the Hindu temples in Pakistan

    27 July 2009

    Sayed Mahmoud El Qemany Apeal to the World Conscience

    8 March 2022

    Russian Orthodox priests call for immediate end to war in Ukraine

    Recent Comments
    • Edward Ziadeh on Why al-Sharaa’s success in Syria is good for Israel and the US
    • Giant Squirrel on Holier Than Thou: Politics and the Pulpit in America
    • Edward Ziadeh on As Church awaits a Conclave, President Trump puts up picture of himself as next Pope
    • Victoria Perea on As Church awaits a Conclave, President Trump puts up picture of himself as next Pope
    • Victoria Perea on As Church awaits a Conclave, President Trump puts up picture of himself as next Pope
    Donate
    Donate
    © 2025 Middle East Transparent

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    loader

    Inscrivez-vous à la newsletter

    En vous inscrivant, vous acceptez nos conditions et notre politique de confidentialité.

    loader

    Subscribe to updates

    By signing up, you agree to our terms privacy policy agreement.

    loader

    اشترك في التحديثات

    بالتسجيل، فإنك توافق على شروطنا واتفاقية سياسة الخصوصية الخاصة بنا.

    wpDiscuz