David Ginola Insists Candidacy Is 'A Proper Job'

Source: thewillnigeria.com

David Ginola has dismissed suggestions his decision to run for the FIFA presidency is a publicity stunt and insists his candidacy constitutes 'a proper job.'

The former France winger, who played for Newcastle, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Everton, is being paid £250,000 by a bookmaker to run a campaign aimed at denying current president Sepp Blatter a fifth term in office.

Ginola fiercely defended the payment as a 'salary' and told Sky Sports News HQ's Bryan Swanson: “It's transparency. It's the job. Why not? I'm not a football player any more. It's a proper job.

“The things I'm going to do on a daily basis are working hard, putting my name on the line, my family, everything. Why are you looking at this? There is no confusion on this – it's very clear.

“Basically it's a salary. I'm being paid to do a job to be able to reach the first target, which is [gaining the support of five nations] five associations, plus doing the campaign next to it and towards the end of May.

“That's being naive thinking you can do something like that because as I said, this is a proper job. Maybe for the first time in my life. Playing football was a piece of cake compared to what I am doing right now.”

Earlier in the day, Ginola had confirmed his intention to become FIFA president, stating: “I know it's a big task. But I do care about the game and that's the most important thing. People will look at me, look in my eyes and look at me and see my integrity and what I've done for the game. And that's important too.

'Transparency'
“You can believe it – and you can rely on it. I do believe that I can stand in front of you and say I can be the next president. I want to share my ideas and my view on the game. As I said in the speech, I want a fair game.

“There are three things that are very important for me – transparency, democracy and equality. That's the main thing I want to achieve. I'm not saying it's going to be easy.”

However there are questions about the credibility of Ginola's campaign after he revealed it requires financial assistance from fans, who are being encouraged to donate online and that he is being paid by a bookmaker.

Ginola also admiited he has yet to receive the required backing of at least five associations to support his nomination.

And when requested to name the association who will formally nominate him, he answered: “That's a good question. You will know hopefully in the next few days.

“The first thing is to get the five associations by the end of January and that will be the main task. It's not an easy thing and I now realise that”

During the news conference, Ginola was asked to name members of FIFA's Executive Committee but could not and appeared not to know what the International Football Association Board (IFAB) was.

One man quick to make light of Ginola's chances was his compatriot Arsene Wenger, who joked: “You will accuse us of having control of world football if Ginola becomes FIFA president, with Michele Platini as UEFA president.

“That has very little chance to happen, let's be realistic.”

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