CSA president hopes Women's World Cup overshadows FIFA scandal

The president of the Canadian Soccer Association hopes the upcoming Women’s World Cup in Canada can help restore the game’s “moral compass” in wake of an alleged $10-million FIFA corruption scandal.
"It's a positive thing that the first tournament after this, whatever happened in the last week, is the Women's World Cup, because women's football is a very pure form of football," Victor Montagliani said Thursday during a tournament-opening press conference at a Vancouver hotel. “And, I think women's football can shine some light on the dark clouds that are hanging over the game."
Montagliani, CSA secretary-general Peter Montopoli and FIFA officials were grilled by reporters in wake of the corruption scandal that resulted in president Sepp Blatter resigning this week after he gained re-election and senior FIFA officials being arrested and indicted in the U.S. and Switzerland last week. Former FIFA official Chuck Blazer has said that he and other officials accepted bribes in relation to the 2010 and 1998 men’s World Cup tournaments.
Repeated requests from a FIFA spokeswoman Thursday to focus on the upcoming tourney fell on deaf ears as the FIFA scandal dominated.
"Whether you call it irony or destiny – I don't know how you want to call it – but I think we should all (be thankful) that it's the Women's World Cup that is immediately following here,” said Montagliani, “because I think it's an opportunity for women's football to shine some light onto the game that, perhaps, has lost a little bit of its moral compass."
At one point, Montagliani insisted the CSA had “absolutely not” bribed officials to earn the right to host the 24-team event in six countries. He said Canada was the only country that bid on the event.
Montagliani also came under questioning for his relationship with provisionally dismissed CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb, who was indicted last week on bribery charges. Before the allegations came to light, said Montagliani, it would be difficult not to respect Webb, who has led anti-racism, fair play and new CONCACAF governance initiatives.
“Now, having said that, if the allegations that came out last week are true, then obviously that will change a lot of people’s opinion,” said Montagliani. “I hope (Webb’s alleged corruption) is not (true), because, obviously, we know there’s no room in the game for those kinds of things.”
Montagliani said he is praying for Webb, once regarded as “the hero of football” and his family. The CSA president previously described both Webb and FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke, who is now accused of negotiating bribes, as an inspiration.
Montagliani contended that he only knew Webb and Valcke through CONCACAF’s executive committee and the CSA’s distance from the alleged scandal is “quite a bit” because it does not get involved in “stuff” like FIFA television rights, and has “due diligence” in place.
He took exception to a Reuters reporter again asking him about Webb, especially after the disgraced CONCACAF boss, had been praised by media in the past.
"With all due respect, you and your colleagues were saying the exact same thing," said Montagliani. "You need to, maybe, look in the mirror a little bit and, maybe, not put people on a pedestal so you can whack the hell out of them after.”
Despite the scandal-related questions, some positive points did emerge from the news conference, putting a positive light on the women’s game itself.
“This is the largest single sporting event for women in the world,” said Montagliani. “We’re very proud and very humbled to be putting on the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.”
“It’s the first time in our country we are hosting a major international competition from one coast to the other,” added CSA general secretary Peter Montopoli.
He said Saturday’s opening match between Canada and China in Edmonton is trending to be the largest attended senior A soccer match in Canadian history, with more than 52,000 fans slated to attend.
“We’re also looking at this as the largest attended national team match of any sport in our country,” said Montopoli. “So obviously, the opening day, the opening match, is a big day for Canadian soccer, but also Canadian sport.”
He said tickets for the July 5 championship match in Vancouver sold out within 72 hours of tickets going on sale. Meanwhile, all U.S. matches are expected to be a sellout, and 95 per cent of tickets have been sold within North America. Montagliani said ticket sales will surpass 1 million any day now.
However, FIFA officials could not say how much money has been allocated for wining, dining and accommodating FIFA executives, or whether the value of their perks will be higher than proceeds that go to players.
But Tatjana Haenni, head of women’s soccer for FIFA, said a total of $15 million in prize money will be up for grabs. A former player, she hopes this World Cup will lead to more women receiving key decision-making roles.
Montagliani would also like to see the tournament further the push to put a couple of National Women’s Soccer League teams in Canada. The NWSL serves as a development circuit for the Canada, U.S. and Mexican national teams.
Alas, no matter how the FIFA scandal turns out, there is more work to be done before the women’s game will rise to new levels. But, perhaps, for at least a little while, Canada’s 2015 Women’s World Cup can shine some light through those dark clouds.