The decision by the FA, still smarting from England’s humiliating defeat in last December’s tender to host the 2018 World Cup, is a clear snub to incumbent chief Sepp Blatter as well as Qatari challenger Mohamed Bin Hammam. Last week, former FA chairman Lord Triesman made allegations of improper behaviour against several members of the FIFA Executive Committee, while Qatar’s successful bid for the 2022 World Cup also came under scrutiny after the Sunday Times newspaper published claims of alleged vote-for-payment agreements.
“The FA board has today [Thursday] agreed to abstain in the vote of the presidency of FIFA,” said FA chairman David Bernstein. “There are a well-reported range of issues both recent and current which, in the view of the FA board, make it difficult to support either candidate. The FA values its relationships with its international partners very highly. We are determined to play an active and influential role through our representation within both UEFA and FIFA. We will continue to work hard to bring about any changes we think would benefit all of international football.”
FIFA has launched an investigation into the allegations of corruption, but the organisation has refused to postpone the presidential election and insisted the matter can be dealt with by May 27. Before the FA announced its decision to abstain, Blatter stated: “I think it is a little bit strange when the No.1 association in the world – i.e. the FA – have two candidates in front of them and cannot make a decision on which one to support.”
Blatter, who is the favourite going into the vote, has said that his likely fourth term will be his last, with UEFA president Michel Platini strongly tipped to succeed the Swiss in 2015. Blatter also stated on Thursday that FIFA will interview a whistleblower concerning the allegations made about the Qatar bid for the World Cup. “We have organised and the newspaper has agreed we will bring this whistleblower to Zurich and then we will have a discussion, an investigation,” said Blatter.
Asked if the vote for the 2022 World Cup could be staged again if the allegations of corruption were proved to be correct, Blatter said: “This is an idea circulating already around the world which is alarming. Don't ask me yes or no...let us go step by step.”
