By Liam Morgan

New FIFA Now has been set up to seek reform within the footballing governing body ©New FIFA NowNew FIFA Now, a campaign group set up to change world football's governing body, has been launched during a summit at the European Parliament in Brussels today.


The group, made up of current MEP's and a range of other sporting politicians, aims to alter how FIFA is run amid ongoing allegations of corruption, bribery and deceit, ahead of the Presidential election in May.

Jamie Fuller, a key member of New FIFA Now and a man who was also behind the campaign to depose Pat McQuaid of the International Cycling Union Presidency in 2013, feels there is no better time to change the governing body for good.

"There has never before been an attempt to bring together an international coalition of people from different institutions and organisations, whether it's football, business or parliaments, who have seen FIFA's image go from bad to worse," British MP Damian Collins, another key figure involved in the group, told Reuters.

"We realised that the scale of the problem had become so great it needed a huge response which we are trying to start today.

"I think we have reached a tipping point and I hope we are giving confidence to more people around the world to join the call for FIFA to change."

Speakers at the summit in Brussels included Jerome Champagne, Harold Mayne-Nicholls of Chile, who is yet to announce whether he will run for football's top job, and ex- English Football Association chairman Lord Triesman.

Jerome Champagne was one of the speakers at the launch of the New Fifa Now groupJerome Champagne was one of the speakers at the launch of the New Fifa Now group ©Getty Images



Despite having no current power, the group could prove influential in the Presidential run as they bid to rid football's governing body of a miasma of difficulties.

Lawyer Michael Garcia, who resigned as FIFA's chief ethics investigator in December, wanted his full report into alleged corruption published, yet in the end only a 42-page summary was made available, prompting Garcia to claim that his findings had been misrepresented.

The unveiling represents the first group of its kind to actively explore ways to allay their concerns and fears about how FIFA is currently governed.

Michael Garcia quit as FIFA's chief ethics investigator after a 42-page summary of his report into alleged corruption was published rather than the full report ©Getty ImagesMichael Garcia quit as FIFA's chief ethics investigator after a 42-page summary of his report into alleged corruption was published rather than the full report ©Getty Images



"The time has passed for evolution, we need a revolution," Bonita Mersiades, former member of the Australian FA and a member of Australia's failed bid to host the 2022 World Cup, said.

"People tore down the Berlin Wall and it is time for us to do the same and rebuild a new FIFA.

"We have reached a tipping point.

"The fact that Michael Garcia's investigations into corruption surrounding the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups collapsed into a shambles proves that nothing will ever change unless change is forced on FIFA."

During the meeting, the group put forward a 10-point plan for change as well as launching a Charter for FIFA Reform.

Champagne, Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein and David Ginola are three people keen to take over the FIFA Presidency, although Frenchman Champagne has admitted he may not have the required support needed to run.

That also could be the problem for ex-Tottenham Hotspur and France star David Ginola, and the validity of his campaign has been questioned after it was revaled he is being backed by bookmaker Paddy Power.

Sepp Blatter is seeking a fifth term in office but the pressure group are gunning for change ahead of the Presidential election in May ©Getty ImagesSepp Blatter is seeking a fifth term in office but the pressure group are gunning for change ahead of the Presidential election in May ©Getty Images



Candidates need to prove they have played an active part in football for two out of the past five years and they require at least five nominations to officially enter the race.

Current President Sepp Blatter is seeking a fifth term in office and remains strong favourite to lengthen a reign which began in 1998.

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