Nassau (The Bahamas), April 19 (IANS) FIFA president Joseph Blatter has suggested that Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) boss Jeffrey Webb has the potential to become the leader of world football’s governing body.
Blatter offered his comments at the conclusion of the 30th CONCACAF ordinary Congress in the Bahamas on Saturday that confirmed Webb unopposed for his second mandate as president, reports CMC.
He said the 50 year-old Caymanian has demonstrated the capabilities necessary to lead Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) one day.
“He is a leader of CONCACAF, he is already a leader in FIFA as he has a big task (as vice-president and chairman of the Anti-Racism and Discrimination Committee), and he will have a bigger task now in the next four years (as CONCACAF president),” said Blatter, set for a fifth and likely final term as FIFA president.
“In his speech after the elections, if you were listening, and I am sure you were, he is already projecting himself (as a future leader of FIFA) and he is a winner, so let’s see where he is going”.
This is not the first time that Blatter has been promoting Webb as a potential head of football’s government body.
Two years ago during a function in the Caribbean celebrating reforms within CONCACAF Blatter remarked that FIFA could soon have a new president and that it could be Webb.
Webb took over the helm of CONCACAF in 2012 in the wake of the infamous cash-for-votes scandal which resulted in the resignation of former FIFA strongman, Trinidadian Jack Warner.
Blatter, 79, who is expected to prevail at the FIFA polls on May 29, praised the leadership qualities of Webb and the role he played in changing CONCACAF.
“I knew this congress was going to be important for CONCACAF because after 2012 when CONCACAF was going through a difficult situation, he took over and changed CONCACAF. Today it was for him as he got his confirmation as president and that is a huge success for Jeffrey Webb, my colleague, my friend, my brother,” said Blatter.
“Now that he has been re-elected president of CONCACAF, and at the same time vice-president of FIFA, I am looking forward to serving with him for another four years”.
Blatter faces challenges from Michael van Praag (The Netherlands), David Ginola (France), Luis Figo (Portugal) and FIFA vice-president Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein for football’s top job.
