A Florida congresswoman who co-chairs the Congressional Soccer Caucus is calling for major reforms to international soccer, even as FIFA President Sepp Blatter announced his resignation on Tuesday.
Blatter’s resignation will take effect when FIFA chooses his replacement, which will happen in a meeting that is expected to be no earlier than December. In recent days, Interpol and the U.S. authorities have indicted FIFA officials on corruption charges, including accusations that South African officials sent $10 million to FIFA as a bribe to hold the World Cup.
At the end of last week, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., waded into the matter, using her perch as one of the chairs of the Congressional Soccer Caucus. The other chairs are U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Wash., U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwel, D-Calif., and U.S. Rep. Todd Young, R-Ind. There are more than 20 members of the caucus including Castor’s fellow Florida Democrat U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. The caucus defines its mission as “to encourage legislation, activities and events that promote soccer and issues affecting the greater soccer community, toward encouraging healthy and active lifestyles among America’s youth,”
Castor and the caucus condemned the corruption and FIFA and planned to write Sunil Gulati, president of the U.S. Soccer Federation, on the matter.
“The soccer world requires reform and I stand behind a re-examination for the bids for Qatar and Russia World Cups and hope other members of FIFA will too,” Castor said on Friday. “Unless bold action is taken, such corruption will leave a lasting scar on the sport. Therefore we urge the U.S. Soccer Federation to take an active role in weeding out the corruption and building a better reputation in the wake of the scandal.”
With the Women’s World Cup imminent, Castor added that it was time for FIFA to showcase the women’s game more.
“FIFA should see the women’s game as a huge growth potential and support for women’s soccer is a solid investment in FIFA’s future,” Castor said.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
