“fifa 1975-2000: The Business of a Football Development Organisation” by Christiane Eisenberg

Introduction

In this paper I will give a short summary of the article “FIFA 1975-2000: the business of a Football Development Organisation” by Christiane Eisenberg which was published in 2006. The article provides the reader with the general information about FIFA, its history of creation, principles of governing, as well as its “global business” role. Besides, one can get information about its main development programmes and even problems concerning FIFA’s redistribution.

Table of contents

History of FIFA                                                                                                                 4

FIFA as a global business                                                                                                 4

FIFA as a business enterprise                                                                                           4

FIFA as a trend-setter                                                                                                       5

Redistribution as a political problem                                                                               5

History of FIFA

FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) is the governing body of world football and a global player between sport and politics. (Eisenberg 2006: 55)

It was founded in 1904 by the football officials from France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Denmark, Sweden and Germany whose objective was to unify football rules and set up a European tournament. The soccer associations from North and South America, Australia, Africa and Asia joined FIFA before the First World War. (Eisenberg 2006: 56)

Since FIFA strived for global representation, it offered quite generous membership conditions. Some countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, Cyprus, Malaysia, Syria, etc. joined FIFA earlier than UNO on condition that national membership organization of dependent countries voted for an admission. (Eisenberg 2006: 56)

In 1999 a National Associations Committee was founded to consider all applicants for membership. Besides, it debates with any member association even if politicians try to interfere. FIFA operates according to democratic standard and if these standards are violated, the committee will intervene. (Eisenberg 2006: 58)

FIFA as a global business

In order to meet demands of Third World Countries “to obtain higher financial assistance”, FIFA became a global business. This was achieved first by sponsoring contracts with Coca Cola, Adidas, etc. Secondly, its merchandising activities resulted in high level of income. (Eisenberg 2006: 59)

FIFA as a business enterprise

FIFA remains a cooperative business or a self-administered company where dividends are used to help the members and their activities to benefit. Eisenberg further classifies FIFA as an International Non-Governmental Organisation, first, as it satisfies all the set up by the UN NGOs requirements. Since the 90s FIFA obtained license agreements from the UN and can sponsorship and partnership projects. (Eisenberg 2006: 61-62)