Expert: Fifa should change its name

Following a series of scandals involving world
football's governing body Tom Bruce, of law firm
Farrer and Co, believes that radical reform is
necessary at the top of the game
An expert in sports governance has urged Fifa to
change its name as one of a number of measures
to help draw a line under the ongoing corruption
scandal.

World football's governing body was thrown into
chaos last week when 14 people, including nine
past and present Fifa officials, were indicted by
United States authorities on charges of
racketeering, conspiracy and corruption.
Sepp Blatter was re-elected at the subsequent
presidential election but announced his intention to
stand down on Tuesday, vowing to kick-start the
process of reform before his successor is named
at an extraordinary congress to be held by March
2016.
And Tom Bruce of law firm Farrer and Co, who
regularly advises national and international sports
bodies on a wide range of governance and
constitutional matters, has cited key areas for
change.
"There are three initial stages to potential reform,"
he said. "The first is the change of personnel. We
may be already some way down the track on that.
"The second bit would be a change of culture that
Fifa obviously needs and would come with a
change of personnel.
"The third element, to my mind, is the
commissioning of a truly independent review of
Fifa's governance structures.
"That independent review would then make
recommendations to Fifa for a sort of root-and-
branch-type review of their governance processes.
"And the reason why that's really helpful is
because the incoming president, whoever it might
be, can point to a separate independent review and
say 'these are the recommendations' and it gives
him a mandate to begin implementing that reform.
"I think also what would help them, as part of that
three-stage change, would be a new name.
"It sounds simple, but trying to draw a complete
line under what's gone on so far and rebrand
themselves may be particularly helpful."
However, Bruce stopped short of predicting the
formation of a breakaway body.
"I can't see that happening," he added. "I think
there will be a governance review and changes
implemented within the organisation itself.
"But at the moment it's based in Switzerland - I
think the Swiss have benefited from FIFA being on
its home soil, Fifa is subject there to very little tax
or regulation - and I'd be surprised if there was a
move to a new entity.
"That is unless Uefa and the European nations
boycott their participation in the World Cup or
sponsors pull out. Only then I think would there be
an opportunity for there to be a new organisation
that takes Fifa's place.
"I think it's more likely that Blatter will begin to
implement some sort of governance review in the
period between now and March next year when he
leaves.
"It will be fascinating to see whether he does or
not. It will certainly get worse before it gets better.
"We will, I think, find that more and more
information comes out over the next few weeks
and months as to what exactly has gone on over
the last 20 years in particular."