The
International Federation of Associated Football, FIFA, is the international
governing of association football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich,
Switzerland. FIFA is responsible for the organization and governance of football’s
tournaments is the world cup held since 1930. FIFA has 208 member associations.
It has been argued that instant replay should be med in penalty incidents, fouls which lead to bootings or cards and to determine whether the ball have crossed the goal line. Video replay is already in use in other sports including rugby, cricket, basket, tennis, ice jockey, etc. the incident between Germany and England and another between Argentina and Mexico during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa has brought the need for video replay to the front banner. Even FIFA have accepted the error which took place in the matches mentioned above and in apologizing to England and Mexico stated that the issue of video replay would be given serious consideration.
History and Origin:
The need for a single body to oversee the game of foot
ball became apparent at the beginning of the 20th century with the
increasing popularity of international textures. FIFA was founded in Paris on
May 21st 1904, hence French home and acronym which has remained even
outside French speaking countries. The founding members were Belgium, Denmark,
Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, France and Germany. FIFA membership
expanded beyond Europe with the application of South Africa in 1908, Argentina
and Chile in 1912 and Canada and the US in 1913.
During
World War I, with many players sent off to the War, and the possibility of
international travel seriously restricted, there were no international
fixtures. At the end of the war, some countries withdraw their membership
pleading an unwillingness to engage in international competition with their
recent world war enemies. These nations however resumed their membership after
some years.
Structure of FIFA:
FIFA is an association established under the law of Switzerland. FIFA’s
supreme body are made up of representatives from each affiliated member
association. The congress assembles in ordinary session have been held once and
additional extraordinary session have been held once a year since 1988. only
the congress can pass changes in FIFA statutes. Congress elects the President
of its Secretary General and other member of the FIFA’s its Executive
Committee. FIFA’S Executive Committee is chaired by the President and this
committee is the main decision-making body of the organization in the intervals
of congress. FIFA also has six confederations which oversee the game in
different continents and regions of the world. National Associations claim
membership to both FIFA and the confederation in which their nation is
geographically resident, for instance the Nigerian Football Federation belong
to the confederation of African Football. Nations straddling the traditional
boundary between Europe and Asia to Russia, Turkey, Cyprus, Armenia, Azerbaijan
and Georgia have as a matter of choice to belong to UEFA, Union of European
Football Association. FIFA has more member nations that the UN. FIFA recognizes
non-sovereign entities or politically disputed territories. FIFA prides itself
as a non political association.
Recognitions and Awards:
Each year, FIFA gives out different awards to players
and clubs in recognition of their outstanding performances and contribution to
the game of football. FIFA awards the title of FIFA world “player of the year”
to the top men and women players of the year as part of its annual award
ceremonies which recognizes teams and international football achievements. In
1994, FIFA announced the FIFA Dream Team, an all time, all-star team chosen by
fans in a world wide poll. As part of its centenorial celebrations in 2004,
FIFA organized a “Match of the century” between France and Brazil.
Rules of the Game:
The laws that govern football, known officially as “the laws of the
game” are not solely the responsibility of FIFA, they are maintained by a body
called the International Football Association Board (IFAB). FIFA has four
members on the Board while the remaining four are provided Wales and Northern
Ireland-who jointly established IFAB in 1882 and are recognized for the
creation and history of the game.
Discipline and National
Association:
FIFA frequently takes active roles in the
running of the sport and the general development of the game around the world.
It metes out sanctions and punishment to those who flout the rules of the game,
either sanctions is to suspend teams and associated members from international
competition when a government interferes in the running of FIFA’s associate
member organizations or if the associate is not functioning property.
FIFA Anthem:
Since the 1994 World Cup, FIFA has lopted an anthem
composed by the German composer. France Lambert. The Anthem is played at the
beginning of official FIFA-approved matches and tournaments such as
international friendlier, the FIFA World Cup, FIFA Women’s World Cup,
FIFA-11-20 World Cup, FIFA under 17 World Cup, FIFA Futsal World Cup, FIFA
Beach Soccer World Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
Criticism:
1. Accusations
of financial irregularities are rife in FIFA activities. These include brides,
vote rigging, ticket scandals, cash for contract scandals and sweeteners
repayment.
2. Andrew
Jennings, a British investigative reporter, in his 2006 book ‘Foul’! the secret
world of FIFA” alleged that vote-rigging occurred in the fight for Sepp
Blather’s continued position of control as FIFA President28 . Mel Brenham, Head of special projects for
CONCACAE, 2001-2003, and world cup delegate became the first high level
football inside to go public with substantial allegation of greed, corruption,
non feasance and malfeasance by CONCACAE and FIFA leadership29.
3. Video
replay controversy-FIFA does not allow video evidence during matches although
it is permitted for subsequent disciplinary sanctions. In 2008, Sepp Blather
said …let it be as it is and lets leave football with errors. The television
companies will have the rights to say the referee was right or wrong, but still
the referee makes the decision-a man not a machine…30.
It has been argued that instant replay should be med in penalty incidents, fouls which lead to bootings or cards and to determine whether the ball have crossed the goal line. Video replay is already in use in other sports including rugby, cricket, basket, tennis, ice jockey, etc. the incident between Germany and England and another between Argentina and Mexico during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa has brought the need for video replay to the front banner. Even FIFA have accepted the error which took place in the matches mentioned above and in apologizing to England and Mexico stated that the issue of video replay would be given serious consideration.