FFA conscience clear after going against AFC in Blatter snub

Football Federation Australia (FFA) president Frank Lowy said he was disappointed at Sepp Blatter's re-election as FIFA president but does not think there will be any backlash from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) after it broke ranks to try and oust the Swiss.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter, left, talks with Football Australia chairman Frank Lowy

FIFA President Sepp Blatter with FFA chairman Frank Lowy at the 58th FIFA congress in Sydney in May 2008. (AP Photo/Mark Baker) Source: AP

Just days after the arrest in Zurich on Wednesday of seven FIFA officials, including two vice presidents - accused by US authorities of taking tens of millions of dollars in bribes - Blatter won the right to govern for another four years after defeating challenger Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein in Friday's presidential election.

"We voted for a change. The vote has been taken, he (Blatter) had a sizeable majority," Lowy said.

"We’re talking about a democracy here. He got the votes now he has a job to deliver what’s expected of him.

“He (Blatter) has said it publicly, it’s really time for certain changes to transparency and to the governance and it will happen.

"The vote secured by Prince Ali was not insignificant and reflects a belief within FIFA and the world football community that governance and other reforms need to be implemented as soon as possible."
Australia voted for Prince Ali, as did most of Europe's 53 members and the United States.

"We voted what we thought was the best for FIFA. We have become a minority, but it’s no crime either way," Lowy told reporters in Zurich.

"I’ve made our position clear with Asia. Australia expected us to vote the way we did."

However, Blatter's support in Africa and Asia saw him through.

Lowy doesn't think there will be any backlash against Australia for its unsuccessful attempt to help oust Blatter - despite the majority of the Asian Football Confederation backing and voting for the incumbent.

"We haven’t done anything wrong," he said.

"We have voted the way we are entitled to vote. We complied with the rules and regulations of AFC."

Much of the talk of corruption in the wake of this week's events has centred on improper conduct in the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups. Australia bid for the latter tournament.

Lowy is confident Australia did not do anything improper in its bid, despite a push to investigate how the $46 million of taxpayer funds allocated was spent.

"There has been no corruption," Lowy declared.

"We have been scrutinised, questioned, and we have put all our facts on the table, and there's nothing more to say about it. There is absolutely no hint of corruption here."


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3 min read
Published 30 May 2015 10:41am
Source: SBS

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