Canada’s pick becomes the new FIFA president

Gianni Infantino

The man who had the open support of the Canadian Soccer Association is now the new president of FIFA.

Switzerland’s Gianni Infantino won the presidency Friday after he got 115 of 207 votes on the second ballot. After the first ballot, Infantino had 88 votes while Bahrain’s Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim el-Khalifa earned 85. But, on the second ballot, Infantino picked up 27 votes, while Salman increased his vote count by only three.

On Thursday, the Canadian Soccer Association issued a statement that its Board of Directors had been unanimous in throwing this country’s support behind Infantino, a supporter of reform measures and a backer of increasing the World Cup finals from 32 teams to 40.

Now, it’s early to read too much into this, but backing the eventual winner right from the beginning can’t hurt Canada’s bid to host the 2026 World Cup. The United States supported Jordan’s Prince Ali (the same candidate that Canada supported last year in an election that Sepp Blatter win) from the first ballot, then looked to move to Infantino on the second ballot.

Infantino said “we will restore the image of FIFA and the respect of FIFA” in the wake of an awful year in which American and Swiss investigators arrested several key officials on corruption and bribery charges, and Blatter and former UEFA president Michel Platini received bans for illicit practices. Infantino told the FIFA congress that the worst of times are over, and that FIFA must begin a new era based on a reform package that was passed before the election. CSA president Victor Montagliani was a big part of the team that came up with the package, which creates a clear distinction between the executive and administrative arms of FIFA (basically, what all good governments do). The elected officials make policy decisions, while the administrators make sure those policies and programs are implemented. According to the reforms, which become FIFA law in 60 days, there will be no more blurring of those lines.

As well, a push towards a 40-team World Cup might help Canada, as it would likely mean at least another spot or two for CONCACAF — which would help this country’s odds of getting back to the tournament for the first time since 1986. (Of course, if Canada hosts the World Cup in 2026, it automatically qualifies).

But the reform packages weren’t praised by all. FIFpro, the labour organization that represents players around the world, said too much power is still in hands of national organizations, many of which are easily corrupted.

“Despite a package of reforms approved today by FIFA, FIFpro fears placing increased power in the hands of FIFA’s 209 member association lies at the heart of the problem,” read a statement from FIFpro. “These member organizations are not representative of the game and, yet, wield enormous influence over issues that affect key stakeholders such as the players, fans, clubs and leagues. The newly adopted reforms failed to address the fundamental issue of making football authorities accountable to the game’s most important actors.”

As well, there is the fact that Infantino worked closely with the now-disgraced Platini at UEFA.

But, thanks to the term limits that are part of the reform package become law, Infantino will not be able to serve more than three cycles as FIFA president.

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