Fergie doubtful of FIFA reform

Alex Ferguson has expressed doubt that FIFA will ever become a fully democratic organisation.

In the wake of England’s stunning failure to gather more than one vote, in addition to that of their own executive committee member Geoff Thompson, at last Thursday’s 2018 World Cup bid decision, there has been talk of conversations with like-minded nations aimed at forcing some kind of change to the overall structure of the world governing body.

It has been repeatedly questioned why only 22 men had a vote, when there are over 200 nations represented within the organisation, and whether the decision had already been taken for Russia to succeed long before Prince William, David Cameron and David Beckham flew in for the final three days of lobbying.

Ferguson admits he was shocked by the outcome.

But he is not convinced anything is going to change.

“The disappointing thing for me was that we only got two votes,” he said. “Everyone was so shocked.

“But I don’t know how you can change FIFA.

“Will that 22-man committee change just because you ask them? Give me a break. Do you know how difficult that is?

“It is a new word for FIFA – democracy.”