FIFA Presidential candidate Prince Ali bin al-Hussein has unveiled an electoral manifesto that proposes widespread change at FIFA, including greater engagement with international organisations such as Interpol and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to combat match-fixing and doping. ‘FIFA must take a lead in combating match- fixing and match-manipulation, criminal activities which appear to be reaching record levels and which undermine the integrity of the game’, he writes in the manifesto. ‘The FIFA security budget needs to be increased dramatically for the sake of the game, and we need to work more effectively with Interpol, governments, Confederations and other stakeholders to develop and enforce a robust strategy to combat these problems. The technology exists for greater and more sophisticated monitoring of movements in betting markets as correlated to developments on the field; it is time for commitment, technology and expertise to come together and work to eradicate match fixing and match manipulation at all levels of the game.’

Prince al-Hussein also warns that unless FIFA makes serious reforms to the way in which it operates, football will face financial damage. ‘Make no mistake: the damage which is being exacted upon “Brand FIFA” has financial implications’, he writes. ‘Sponsors have begun to vote with their feet. If drastic action is not taken urgently to restore the image of our governing body, we can expect revenues to reduce and, in turn, monies available to National Associations to also go down. There is currently a culture of conspicuous financial waste and complacency within FIFA. This costs the game – and National Associations all over the world – millions of dollars every year.’ Five FIFA partners – Sony, Emirates, Castrol, Continental Tyres and Johnson & Johnson – have recently decided not to renew their contracts with FIFA.

Prince al-Hussein also suggests that FIFA needs to take a serious look at how FIFA funds football globally, including a serious review of its social responsibility. This includes taking the responsibility for funding football development away from the FIFA President into a more structured format, in the form of regional FIFA development offices. Within this, he also pledges to tackle the trafficking of young players. ‘No National Association should feel that its ability to thrive is dependent upon the FIFA President’s personal approval’, he writes. ‘National Associations should instead be well supported through a strategic, transparent and democratic programme which ensures that ALL their basic needs are met. In order to properly support the development of football across the globe, FIFA regional development offices must be created. These regional offices should be staffed by FIFA-employed professionals, working closely with the appropriate Confederation, who can travel to National Associations to assess their development needs, assist with funding applications and support in the delivery of development projects.’

The manifesto also pledges to discuss the possibility of arranging a formal continental rotation policy for the FIFA World Cup. ‘I do not believe that the President of FIFA should dictate the nature and shape of the game or the size of the FIFA World Cup’, he writes. ‘I do believe, however, that the President has the responsibility to uphold the integrity of FIFA itself. Collaborate with stakeholders from across the sport to establish a formal continental rotation system, while maintaining the requirement that the FIFA Congress should decide future World Cup Host Nations.’

The FIFA Presidential elections are taking place on 29 May, where 209 member federations will vote at FIFA’s Congress in Zurich. Joesph S. Blatter is seeking a fifth Presidential term, but will face competition from Prince al-Hussein, Dutch FA (KNVB) Chairman Michael van Praag and former player Luis Figo. FIFA approved all candidates on 10 February.