Blazer: Crisis will strengthen FIFA

CONCACAF general secretary Chuck Blazer believes FIFA will emerge stronger from the crisis that has engulfed the organisation recently.

Blazer’s report led to the suspension of CONCACAF president Jack Warner and FIFA presidential hopeful Mohamed Bin Hammam, also president of the Asian Football Confederation.

The pair were alleged to have offered cash incentives to Caribbean Football Union officials in return for their vote for Bin Hammam in the June 1 FIFA presidential election.

Bin Hammam withdrew from the election meaning Sepp Blatter was re-elected unopposed for a fourth term as the body’s chief.

Speaking at half-time of Sunday’s CONCACAF Gold Cup game between Costa Rica and Cuba at Cowboys Stadium in Texas, Blazer said his own role in detailing the alleged transgressions showed FIFA were trying to improve their standards.

“I think what preceded all of this is something that says we believe in all the right things,” Blazer said.

“I think they can have confidence in the future because this is a major effort to do things in the right way and if we accomplish that by the end of this entire process, we will have done a lot of good and for the right reasons.”

“We are working hard at doing the right things.”

Blazer said it was disappointing that the turmoil surrounding FIFA could potentially turn off fans in the CONCACAF region, an area in which the organisation is still trying to broaden its appeal.

“It’s regrettable that from a political point of view that there is some confusion but that will be resolved,” he said.

“I know that FIFA and ourselves want to have the situation to be resolved and resolved for the better.”

“Everything is in good hands and you can see things are normal at the stadium, my feelings are very positive for this tournament.”