FIFA announces World Cup host vote changes

[emezico]

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has announced that World Cup host countries will in future be chosen by a vote of all the 208 member associations.

Until now, Fifa's 24-man executive committee has made the choice.

But the controversy surrounding the decision to award Russia the 2018 tournament and Qatar the 2022 event has prompted a change.

"I want to give more power to the national associations," said Blatter, who was re-elected on Wednesday.

"In the future, the World Cup will be decided by the Fifa congress. The executive committee will create a shortlist - but will make no recommendations, only a list - and the congress will decide on the venue."

A frenetic week of claim and counter-claim has seen Fifa's reputation seriously damaged.

But Blatter insists that any problems can be solved in-house and with him in charge.

"The Fifa ship is in troubled waters but this ship must be brought back on the right track," he added.

"I am the captain of the ship. It is therefore my duty and responsibility to see to it that we get back on track.

"Reforms will be made and not just touch-ups but radical decisions. We have made mistakes, but we will draw our conclusions.

"We have been hit and I personally have been slapped. I don't want that ever again.

"We must stop once and for all, all these ugly criticisms, allegations, insinuations of cheating left, right and centre."

Blatter, who has been in office since 1998, made an appeal for unity after a bruising period of public division.

"I hope that you will follow the path that I'm trying to change on this ship," added Blattter.

"We must know where we're going with our game to build a better future.

"Together we can do it, together we will get there, and together Fifa will once again find its credibility."


Source: BBC