Sexwale wants to repair 'damaged' FIFA

By Tom Webber*

If elected FIFA president, Tokyo Sexwale has promised to try and mend the body’s image which has been tarnished by corruption claims.

FIFA presidential candidate Tokyo Sexwale wants to repair the damage done to the organisation by the ongoing corruption scandal in which it is embroiled.

On Monday, the South African submitted his registration as a contender to replace outgoing president Sepp Blatter, who remains suspended by FIFA over investigations into an alleged “disloyal payment” to Michel Platini – whose bid is on hold after he was banned for his part.

The businessman and former political prisoner has the support of the South African Football Association and confirmed that he will travel to Cairo to seek backing from the Confederation of African Football.

He has promised to try and fix FIFA’s tarnished reputation if he wins the election scheduled for February 2016.

“I think it was a vote of confidence by people who I can only say understand who I am and what I will be able to bring to football,” Sexwale said in a conference on Tuesday. “FIFA, the organisation of the beautiful game, is damaged. The brand is severely undermined.

“Having spent time inside FIFA, I am more than ready to take on the world. I am going into this campaign as a candidate of my country with the confidence bestowed in me to make sure that we win. But win or lose, people will know that there was an African who was here who shook things up.”

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