By Andrew Warshaw
March 10 – Francois Carrard, the former Olympic supremo who led the team that drafted FIFA’s much-trumpeted governance proposals, has given his backing to Gianni Infantino in ensuring the reform measures are implemented properly and not just left to fester.
The reforms were approved by a large majority of FIFA’s membership at last month’s electoral congress and are due to come into effect after 60 days.
Infantino himself was a member of the reform committee as a UEFA representative and Carrard said: “I think there is clear starting ground for him. The package is on the table and is a basis for him to work with. He has the professionalism and experience from his time as UEFA general-secretary. He was a pro-active member of the committee. During all the weeks of work, he was pushing for a lot including better supervision and separation of powers.”
Asked whether the twin investigations being carried out by US and Swiss officials could make like uncomfortable for Infantino, Carrard responded: “The investigations have their own life. Apart from them, there is a solid platform to build. It’s up to him to choose his priorities. What I can tell you is that when you observe him at close quarters, he’s a man of action. He’s a do-er as well as a talker.”
Carrard, former director general of the International Olympic Committee, says the fact that Infantino was on his team will help speed up the process.
“If someone else had been elected president…he would have had to go through a learning curve which Gianni doesn’t need. He was an insider, one of the leaders. All in all, he was the most complete candidate.”
During his tenure running the reform body, the independence of Carrard’s body was heavily questioned. But he insists he was not influenced by Sepp Blatter, Michel Platini or any other parties in drawing up the reforms.
“Nobody tried to influence us. People thought I was crazy when I said I wouldn’t hold my meetings in Zurich (where FIFA is). That’s why I held them in Bern, somewhere a bit quieter.”
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