Yahoo Sport 
EXCLUSIVE: Ramon Vega: Time for players to have their say in the running of the game
In his first blog as Yahoo Sport Business Correspondent, Ramon Vega talks about reform within FIFA and the need for more player involvement.
From pitchside to pub fireside, the future of FIFA has dominated football-related conversations over the past few months.
It has been a pretty dark and turbulent time for the game. As someone with a deep love of sport, I have been watching events unfold through closed hands. I’d even go so far as to say there has been a cancer within FIFA- and now is the ideal time to cure it.
Don’t get me wrong – there are many very talented, hard-working people at FIFA who are totally dedicated to the good of the game. However, their good intentions and efforts have been tarnished by the mistakes of those who have used the organization for their own benefit and brought it to the brink of the abyss.
FIFA needs to regain credibility and the trust of the public and sponsors and ensure that the same mistakes are never made again.
We need to get to a stage where we consider what is best for FIFA, not what is best for the person who runs it- the time of narrow self-interest is over, it’s time for change.
Above all, I believe that going forward FIFA must have more former players involved at the very top of the organization.
People at FIFA may have loved the game but a player who has come up through the football pyramid, from grassroots up- their experience and insight would be invaluable.
Their knowledge and expertise should be tapped into and used by federations around the world. Who are those most directly affected by decisions made at FIFA? The players! They need to have a proper say in how the game is run and the implications of rule changes.
After all, FIFA’s main remit is to protect and promote the interests of players of all levels around the world. FIFA only exists because of the players- it needs to be a positive parental figure, not a wicked uncle or mother-in-law!
Some people have called for FIFA to be entirely dismantled. I don’t think that is the way forward as you do need an overseeing organization to implement rules and protect participants, clubs and federations.
However, a good governing body is like a good ref- they are doing well when they are not being noticed and talked about.
It is fashionable to be pretty apocalyptic about football’s future but in fact I am very optimistic.
FIFA has a vital role to play but it needs to get its house in order, and quickly.
Greater levels of transparency are certainly required, but to facilitate these changes I believe that you need fresh blood to come in. FIFA really needs to be dragged into the 21st century, modernised and updated.
Ultimately, I think reform and restructure rather than revolution is the way ahead in order to rejuvenate FIFA. New ideas from those with a direct experience of having played the game should play a key role in this if we are serious about bringing the lustre back to the most beautiful game of all.
Ramon Vega is a versatile high flying executive with a comprehensive track record of driving commercial success in finance, property and football with national, international and World Cup experience as Captain of the Swiss National Team in 1994. Proven experience in managing $billion funds in the asset management industry as well as a turnaround specialist who combines financial and business acumen, Ramon has a flair for inspiring others to exceed their own expectations. (http://frompitchtoboardroom.com)
