Blatter should keep his nose out of Safa election

The Times Editorial By now we should be used to Fifa throwing its weight around. Football's world governing body has become so powerful that it just can't help itself.

But when it starts interfering with our democratic processes - even if, in this case, it is only the election of office bearers for a soccer association - we must object.

Later this month, the SA Football Association will need to choose either Irvin Khoza or Danny Jordaan as its next president.

The local FA, admittedly, is a member of Fifa, but that should not give Sepp Blatter, the president of Fifa, and his mates the right to interfere in the election, as they did this week.

Their interference was subtle, but the assertion by Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke that whoever wins must step down from 2010 organising, was unhelpful. By sticking his nose into the election, Valcke could easily be seen to be trying to influence the outcome.

For our football, this month's Safa election is as important as Polokwane was to the body politic of this country.

Valcke suggested that the election would harm the build-up to next year's World Cup. The tournament is precious to all of us, but so is our democracy, even if it is only a sporting body's election this time.

Blatter has weighed in with a patronising "the interests of the World Cup are paramount".

We don't need Herr Blatter to lecture us on our responsibilities towards the 2010 event. Indeed, all South Africans have more at stake in the tournament next year than Fifa itself.

The election might well be divisive, as Fifa fears, but that is the nature of voting. Many members of Safa are clearly unhappy with the current leadership and are pushing hard for elections. They should be allowed their day at the ballot box.