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South African Tokyo Sexwale Considering FIFA Presidency

South African Tokyo Sexwale Considering FIFA Presidency

South African businessman Tokyo Sexwale is considering the possibility of entering the presidential race at world football’s governing body FIFA, when a new president is elected early next year.

Current FIFA president Sepp Blatter took the decision to resign as the head of the organisation in June, four days after he was re-elected to the post, following the ongoing fraud investigation into FIFA which saw the arrest of 14 officials and marketing executives US authorities in May on the basis of corruption charges worth an alleged $150m.

Bribery allegations involving the 2010 World Cup which was hosted by South Africa, as well as money laundering and fraud surrounding the 2018 and 2022 tournaments to be held in Russia and Qatar respectively were thrown into the spotlight.

After the arrests many called for Blatter’s resignation, but the Swiss, who has been in charge of FIFA since 1998, took some weeks to decide on his eventual course of action. He remains in the position until a new president can be elected in around six months time.

In recent weeks candidates for the position have been emerging, with UEFA president Michel Platini announcing his candidacy, and South Korean Chung Mong-joon, former Brazil footballer Zico and Liberian FA president Musa Bility confirming their availability for office ahead of the February presidential election.

In a move that has surprised some, a spokesperson from the South African’s Global Watch foundation, Peter-Paul Ngwenya revealed that Sexwale may be willing to throw his hat in the ring alongside the aforementioned personalities.

“Mr Sexwale has been approached to put his name forward as a candidate for the FIFA presidency by several highly placed personalities within the football fraternity including people from the private sector,” said Ngwenya in a letter to Reuters. “He is in the process of consulting following which he will then make up his mind.”

Sexwale previously served on FIFA’s anti-discrimination task force and was a founding member of the Makana FA, which was the unofficial football organisation for apartheid-era prisoners on Robben Island, where he spent 13 years as a prisoner alongside good friend Nelson Mandela.

“He is humbled and honoured by these approaches and does not regard these lightly as they emanate from people he respects and has confidence in,” Ngwenya’s letter continued.

“Furthermore he regards the position of FIFA president as one with a heavy responsibility, more so at this time when FIFA is under a cloud following the corruption scandal. We are aware Mr Sexwale believes in unity within FIFA in the Mandela way and he will therefore not involve his name if this will result in the perpetuation of divisions that will further damage the FIFA brand,” Ngwenya added.

Sexwale will have some time to decide on his candidacy, and will expect to garner votes throughout Africa’s member associations if he joins the FIFA presidential race.