England out in the cold as UEFA lines up its candidates for FIFA positions

By Andrew Warshaw

January 15 – English influence will remain absent from the top table of FIFA for at least two years as a result of the fallout over Greg Clarke’s resignation as FA chairman back in November.

When UEFA confirmed the three names under consideration to replace Clarke for FIFA vice-president this week, no English official was among them.

Clarke was forced to relinquish the highly influential global role when he resigned as FA boss following a series of offensive remarks during a calamitous appearance before lawmakers.

He has not yet been replaced and the three candidates put forward by UEFA for the remainder of the four-year FIFA vice-presidency term that ends in 2023 were Irish Football Association president David Martin, who stood against Clarke in 2019, Scottish Football Association vice-president Michael Mulraney and Football Association of Wales president Kieran O’Connor.

The position is the preserve and privilege of the four  British ‘home nations’ but is elected by UEFA’s full membership who will cast their votes at their annual Congress in April.

Martin will start favourite having stood against Clarke in 2019 but whoever wins will have a key role to play in the anticipated joint British-Irish bid to host the centenary  World Cup in 2030. The bidding process is due to be launched next year with a decision on the hosts to be taken in 2024.

There will also be no English male representative on the decision-making FIFA Council though Laura McAllister, representing Wales, is taking on present incumbent Evelina Christillin of Italy for the European female member position.

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