The world’s media declares that there is a crisis in the world of football while its President says it is not in a crisis. Always described as the beautiful game, FIFA, the governing body of world football, is in crisis, with its reputation tarnished, like aging silverware in a trophy cabinet, writes Paul Allen.
The past 24 hours have been reduced to farce and is the best illustration to how not to run a press conference. In fact things became so ridiculous; why was a press conference agreed in the first place? Yesterday’s press conference saw outgoing President, Sepp Blatter, who is preparing for re-election as FIFA President, deliver what can only be described as a badly thought out exercise in brazen propaganda.
As Sepp took to the podium, he demanded respect from the baying dogs of war, the media. Reflecting on the event it’s hard to imagine that a respected organisation such as FIFA would not have well versed and savvy media consultants to advise on reputation management and dare we say crisis management, but as the President says there is no crisis.
To remind the FIFA President, the bribery scandal that still hangs in the air has not gone away. The presidential candidate Mohammed Bin Hammam, who stepped down from the Presidential race is still demanding urgent action into that alleged corruption be extended to leading and high profile names within FIFA.
With the twist and turns of a Lionel Messi goal in the recent Champions League final, the sponsors of FIFA, Adidas and Coca-Cola, have now entered the pitch and are demanding clarity on the situation regarding the unfounded remarks and allegations; which dare I say has done nothing for the game.
It would appear that the FIFA turmoil could do with good advice and best practice with an effort to clear the air and illustrate a major solution to a problem that will not go away; in fact it will intensify in the coming weeks.
However, let’s reflect on what happened in the last 24 hours. Last evening’s press conference in Zurich saw Sepp Blatter, the embattled president of FIFA, endure little over 30 minutes of questions, many of which he deflected, during an bizarre and ridiculous press conference.
A visibly agitated Blatter said in response before walking off following the
briefing, “I have answered the questions and I thank you for your attendance. I will not go into discussions with people who like to create problems. I just want to tell you one more thing, and by laughing you show that’s an attitude. So is respect. I said I was finished, then I said thank you.”
In case you missed the press conference, here is the transcript. Students of communications take note, this strategy is not recommended. Instead seek professional help.
The transcript:
“I’m happy to be with you and also on account of the new actuality I have decided, and especially after this afternoon’s meeting of the executive committee, to be with you alone and not at a dais with other people.
I just want to repeat what I’ve said and through messages given yesterday, the ethics committee has reached its decisions. I have no right to comment on it. I was even myself not in my privileged position. I repeat what I said: I regret what has happened in last days and weeks, it has done great damage to FIFA, but is also a great disappointment, for football fans, I’m speaking to football fans.
Today we had a meeting of the executive committee; I am not giving you a lot of details. Our press department will distribute documents and they will be available. But there have been one or two points that I want to inform you.
The executive committee of FIFA was very pleased to receive the report of the Football Association regarding allegations made on 10 May made by Lord David Triesman at the House of Commons against four executive committee members, and we were happy that we can confirm there are no elements in this report which would even prompt any proceedings. But for the sake of transparency, FIFA and the F.A. agreed that a comprehensive summary of this report would be published and the summary can be read on FIFA.com. I’m happy also that we have not received any evidence from the Sunday Times or from any announced whistleblower with regards to allegations made against two other members of executive committee, therefore the outcome is the same, what shall we do with elements in report? Nothing.
And World Cup 2022 is not touched by that, so is the World Cup 2018.
Concerning the executive committee there is one or other information of importance, Japan will organizing the FIFA Club World Cup in December. We are happy after having been two years in United Arab Emirates, now back to Japan. Violá.
We were in Conmebol and Conacaf, said to executive committee at 50-year anniversary of Concacaf, I offered project elements that will be realized through structure of the Goal project. These two things will be taken over by Goal institution and then will be presented to the executive committee. In light of 50 years of Concacaf, that’s the way it works. [Blatter had been accused of promising $1 million to Concacaf in exchange for the confederation's support of his re-election.]
One important decision, Bosnia has accepted change in statutes, therefore the ban is lifted and Bosnia will be able to play as of June 3 in national and club competitions. We also settled problems with Brunei. And Indonesia can go on playing to June 30.
Now ready to take your questions. I would insist again on the fact that this morning I went to four meetings of four confederations: UEFA, Conmebol, Oceania and Concacaf and invited everyone to show unity and solidarity concerning FIFA’s future.
Q: Last night one of your past allies Jack Warner told me that you should be stopped. Some reaction to statement?
A: Stopped? … I have no, reaction.
Q: Everyone knows this is the time for change and reform. What will you do for FIFA in next four years?
A: Thank you for your question. Just come back to ideas I’ve developed for the future and exposed to executive committee today. One of these items on the agenda, there is one, zero tolerance. Zero tolerance on the field, and zero tolerance outside the field of play. Means we have to reinforce the ethic committee to professionalize the committee to have professionalism. To look to our image and also need a new communication, a new tool and to have a better understanding with the you, the media, everybody in the media. It’s something we have to do. And more than that what we have to do in the congress to get a unity in solidarity and to look forward for the next four years. It will not be an easy task but together we can do it.
Q: Some governments also asking that election be postponed? How do you feel about that?
A: If governments want to intervene in the FIFA organization then there is something wrong. I think FIFA is strong enough to build inside FIFA. I’m sure the congress will show its unity and will solve their problems, if there are any in the congress.
Q: The media today is talking about a crisis in FIFA . Is it a crisis?
A: If somebody would describe to me a crisis? What is a crisis. Football is not in a crisis. We have just seen a beautiful Champions League final with Barcelona, with fair play. We are only in some difficulties. And they will be solved inside our family.
Q: Mr. Warner released details of an email from Mr. Valke saying that Qatar bought the World Cup. Can you give your backing to Mr. Valke. Is he becoming too politicized?
A: I will not answer this question. I am the president of FIFA, you cannot question me.
(There is an outburst in the audience, some rumbling and comments that were inaudible because the speakers did not have microphones.)
In response to the rumblings, Blatter said: I accepted to have a press conference with you alone here. I respect you, please respect me. If you ask for a question ask for the mic. We are not in a bazaar here, we are in FIFA House.
Q: You said a few minutes ago, that for Concacaf you offered two goal projects. Can you do that?
A: The FIFA president can do even more, but it has to be approved by the executive committee and the committee approved that. Certainly I can do that.
Q: Now that two members have been suspended pending bribe investigation, can you see why now there are calls to postpone Wednesday election?
A: If somebody wants to change something in the election or in the congress … these are the members of FIFA this cannot be done by the executive committee or any authorities outside of FIFA. Only the congress itself can do it with three-quarters of majority, it can change agenda.
Q: How do you feel personally that Mr. Bin Hammam has pulled out of challenge of your presidency and that you are now standing alone?
A: You should ask him why he pulled out. Personally, I was prepared to go into an election process with another candidate and then the congress would have decided. Now the situation has changed.
Q: What do you say to those who want a revote for the 2022 World Cup and you if you are a major problem for FIFA, should leave?
A: We are only allowing one questions each and that was two questions. Which one do you want me to answer? The second: Again, it is for the congress of FIFA decide if I am a valid or nonvalid candidate.
Q: Do you believe Qatar bid was clean?
A: I believe that the decision which we took for World Cup 2022 was done exactly clean in the same pattern and again I say what I said at beginning of press conference: there is no issue for the World Cup 2022.
Q: Is FIFA’s reputation at lowest ever. How did it happen on your watch?
A: I tried to have the FIFA reputation at highest possible way. We are in a game, in this game I will tell you there is a lot of gambling and not only on the field of play. Have to say at beginning of FIFA when I entered 36 years ago, we had no problems, until 1998. This was the modest FIFA. Now we are a comfortable FIFA and because we are too comfortable all the little devils can enter the game.
Q: To say that this is the season of long knives in football would be an understatement. How will you be able to sit in meetings of the executive committee and move forward after all that has happened?
A: I repeat what said several times. I have not chosen the members of executive committee. They are delegated by their confederations. I have to deal with the personalities that are there and try to do best out of it. Something has changed in FIFA and we will try to change more in future. I cannot change members of my government, it is not up to me.
(More rumbling from the audience.)
Blatter: I have asked for respect, I was respectful to you. …
(Blatter walks off the stage as others try to ask questions. One more is asked.)
Q: This is a press conference, and I thought it is for asking questions. There are so many more people here who want to ask questions.
A: I have answered the questions and I thank you for your attendance.
I will not go into discussions with people who like to create problems. I just want to tell you one thing. You can laugh, that’s an attitude. So is respect. I have learned this in my life also as a journalist. I said this is finished. Thank you.”
The gauntlet has been thrown down and now is the time to prove we still have what it takes to punch well above our weight, writes Paul Allen
It has been an intense couple of weeks. Our national drama has unfolded on the world stage and featured a lot of villains but seemingly few heroes. As the temperatures plummet to give us the coldest autumn in living memory, so too have the aspirations of Irish people who feel demoralised, destitute and defeated.
It has been a bruising encounter. The IMF, the EU and world opinion has left Ireland Inc red-faced and bloody nosed. People are boiling with anger. The stench of revolution has filled our streets with people now desperate for change.
The worry is that the change will be radical. We have already seen Sinn Fein romp home in the by-election, underling the strong probability of a radical swing to the left politically. At the election centre in Donegal there were no visible signs of tri colours, no nationalistic symbolism; just well dressed boys and girls in wonderfully tailored suits and accompanying ties. I wonder is this the rebirth of republicanism?
The IMF arrived in Ireland because it feared any new government would not have the guts to make the necessary financial changes. It would come as no surprise if Wikileaks soon reveals the IMF feared a Labour Party/Fine Gael coalition would rather tax its way out of the situation than to cut spending. The problem is that now the next administration will be more county council than government, with no real power and run from Brussels by our new overlords who will control the purse strings.
Seeds Of Success
However despite the gnashing of teeth and the floods of tears, Ireland Inc is still open for business. Business was the backbone of our economic miracle and will be the backbone of our recovery. The fundamentals that underpinned our growth into a modern, thriving economy have not vanished, despite what the naysayers would have us believe.
We are still a very attractive place to do business and our labour force is one of the best educated in the world. The amount of those aged 25-34 with a third-level qualification here is higher than in the US or the UK, and is above the OECD average. Ireland also ranks third in the euro area in terms of mathematics, science and computing graduates aged 20-29.
Ireland was ranked fourth in the world in terms of availability of skilled labour and openness to new ideas, sixth on labour productivity and seventh for the flexibility and adaptability of people, in the 2010 IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook.
The downturn has also meant a dramatic drop in the cost of doing business here. According to forecasts by the European Commission, the cumulative fall in labour costs will be 9% between 2008-2011. Energy costs have fallen 30% relative to the EU average, while the cost of commercial property is more competitive than ever.
But still the sense of Armageddon is palpable among the electorate. As Children’s Minister Barry Andrews rightly pointed out, we should have the humility to remember we have been through tough times before. The Children’s Minister later went on the very popular Matt Copper, Today FM, Last Word programme, to squirm his way out and back track on his insightful comments. Pity, as I think his thoughts were spot on. It’s a pity he bottled it.
Just let’s hope the Irish business sector does not become burdened by the sense of general panic and pessimism that is sweeping throughout the nation.
Return To Growth
The laws of economics dictate that like night follows day, periods of prosperity will eventual succumb to downturn. The severity of our rollercoaster ride downwards was so swift that the lessons learnt will hopefully steel us against making such errors of judgement again.
Never again should the banking sector reign with such negligence. The experience of this daunting crisis will imprint the lesson on the national psyche and governments of the future that regardless of prosperity, a culture of spend, spend, spend will ultimately create turmoil.
While we didn’t go cap in hand to the EU asking for a bailout, it is now a reality we have to deal with. It has hopefully put an end to our fiscal uncertainty.
Now it is time to turn our attention to making our small country great again. The bailout has steadied the ship and sown the seeds of prosperity. Our focus should now be to emerge as quickly as possible from our downturn to sustainable economic growth.
So now is the time for unity. Now is the time for us to get back to doing what we are best at. It is time for our dynamic, hardworking and innovative people to push our country forward again, because if will wallow in despair we will only drown. It is time to show the rest of the world we are the Fighting Irish and we are still world-class contenders.
Don’t rely on advice from disc jockeys, celebrity barristers or cranky chefs when it comes to crisis management, writes Paul Allen
Take one Cork DJ, a celebrity legal eagle and a cranky chef. Bring all three to the boil under the glare of the media spotlight and then let them simmer. Soon you will be left with perfect examples of what not to do when a certain something hits the fan.
What exactly was going through DJ Neil Prendeville’s mind when he was on that Aer Lingus flight is anyone’s guess. However, when the Examiner revealed Prendeville’s smutty in-flight shenanigans, his deeds were exposed to a far wider audience than that of just his fellow passengers.
For a radio presenter who pontificates from behind his microphone on his daily talk show on Cork 98FM to be caught with his pants down in such a manner was extremely embarrassing for all concerned. The fact that he quickly decided to take a leave of absence seemed a well-informed decision. From there, however, things went from bad to worse.