Women's World Cup helping to 'cleanse' football - Canada chief
Friday 26 June 2015 20:01, UK
The Women's World Cup in Canada is helping to clean up the image of football in the wake of its corruption scandal, according to the chief of Canadian football. Sky Sports News HQ reporter Geraint Hughes finds out more......
The final of the Women’s World Cup is just over a week away. Four weeks ago though, as tournament organisers were in the final stages of preparation, the sporting world was stunned by events at FIFA and the subsequent resignation of President Sepp Blatter.
Voting on behalf of Soccer Canada at the FIFA presidential elections at the end of May, Victor Montagliani, president of Canada Soccer and also an executive committee member of CONCACAF, wanted change and got his wish.
Just days before the Canada 2015 Women’s World Cup began, FIFA was unravelling and although Montagliani was happy Blatter was going he also had grave concerns over how the tournament would unfold.
Two days before his team face England for a place in the semi-finals, Montagliani told SSNHQ: "I hoped the Women’s World Cup would be the first opportunity to cleanse the sport and I believe it is being successful.
"Football had lost its way and it needed to change. It was a shot to the game, a shot to the game I love and that was what hurt the most.”
He also challenged FIFA reformers to hurry up, insisting elections for a new president should not be delayed.
He added: "It has to be done quickly, it has to be done sooner rather than later, this year would be best or maybe early January if that date is set early.
"We need to move quickly, it is not just about changing a president or one office, it’s about the game and looking in the mirror and changing things from top to bottom.”
Montagliani also sought to put forward Canada’s credentials as a country worthy and deserving of hosting the 2026 World Cup.
“I don’t know when the bid is up as it’s been postponed, but we have the ability to host a a men’s World Cup," Montagliani said.
"We are the only G8 country not to have hosted one and people might say you know we are not a traditional football country, but we have pushed the game far in this country, men’s and women’s equally, no gender bias.
"We are a country which gives a lot to the world, we are a country of immigrants and maybe it is time for the world to give something back to Canada.”
