"If FIFA did not exist, it would have to be invented" (Jérôme Champagne, presidential candidate)

"If I run for president, it's because 2015 is a choice: either continue with this gentrification and its best competition. Or we want to correct these imbalances, and then we need a stronger, more democratic and more proactive FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association)," said Jerome Champagne, a candidate for the presidency of FIFA to News Tank on 15/03/2014.

The former deputy secretary-general, deputy president and director of international relations of FIFA, announced his candidacy on 20/01/2014 in London (ENG) with a message of support from Pele. Champagne believes that there is now a "conflict of visions of governance between those who think that FIFA has a global responsibility, including in Europe, and those who believe that European football should be separated from the rest of the world."

The Frenchman, Jérôme Champagne, wants to give more power to the 209 affiliated national federations: "FIFA belongs to [the national federations] and is also at their service," he said. "We must make FIFA more democratic and give the president a majority government that we do…