A former FIFA Deputy General Secretary, Jerome Champagne, is
dissatisfied with attempts to block candidates running for The Gambia Football
Federation (GFF) presidency.
Asked about the authenticity of the letter believed to be from FIFA
barring candidates who brought the game into “state of agony” and if FIFA would
advice such a move, Champagne said “I don’t know but I have observed that some
people were asking to see the letter and I would like also as a citizen of
world football - I’m interested about what’s going on in Gambia. There is
nothing to hide.”
“To block candidates is not correct and frankly we should have an open
election,” Champagne told West Coast Radio’s Abdoulie Bah on Monday in
Ramallah, during FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s tour of Palestine.
The erstwhile French diplomat, who is expected to contest for the FIFA
presidency in 2015 when Blatter is expected to stand-down, said “My thoughts on
what is going on in Gambia - football is about democracy, and football is about
giving a chance to everyone.”
Nothing to hide
“When I read that some people are said to try to block some candidates
to run, I think it’s not correct and frankly I think that we should have an
open election,” the ex-Political Advisor to Blatter said.
The GFF is currently in a process of normalization after the sacking of
the previous executive.
It is expected to hold elections at the end of July this year, but
tensions have since risen after strong opposition to allegations that the
Normalisation Committee (NC) is up to bar some presidential aspirants including
former President Seedy Kinteh.
Mr Blatter (writing) was on a Middle East tour of Jordan, Palestine and Isreal (Photo Credit: FIFA) |
Honest election
Champagne, who also expressed his delight at Steve Biko’s winning of
the GFF First Division League, refused to be drawn into a conversation about
his relationship with former GFA (now GFF) presidents Seedy Kinteh and Alhagie
Omar Sey - both of whom he has worked with.
He said: “Listen, it’s not a matter about being closer to one or
another. When I was in FIFA for eleven years my job given to me by Mr Blatter
was to ease contact with the federations around the world.
“I have known all the presidents of the Gambian FA since 1999 but I
have no preference. It’s up to the clubs in Gambia to elect the person they
want for the four years to come.
“The solution is honest election… also what is very important is that
Gambian football develops with more stadiums, more facilities and training
programmes for the kids.”
On Steve Biko’s success, Champagne said: “I tell you, I follow. I am
very excited to see Steve Biko football club being the champions after 35 years
which is incredible.
“But I think that it’s good, it shows that teams are changing and you
have new comers. It’s not always Real De Banjul or Wallidan who are champion -
which is fantastic.”
- Written by Abdoulie Bah from Ramallah, West Bank, Palestine
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