SBC News Paddy Power aims to reboot FIFA with David Ginola

Paddy Power aims to reboot FIFA with David Ginola

ginola

FIFA has gained considerable bad press in the recent past, with head honcho Sepp Blatter shouldering much of the blame. It came to light in the past few days that the charismatic former footballer and model, David Ginola, has thrown his hat into the ring to become the next President of FIFA.

Who else but Paddy Power have launched a campaign; ‘Team Ginola – Rebooting Football’, to try to ensure this happens. A website teamginola.com, and Twitter handle, #TeamGinola, have been created to spread the word

M&C Saatchi, the creative agency which is the favourite to take over Paddy’s creative advertising account from Crispin Porter and Bogusky this year, are the creators of the Ginola campaign.

A FIFA presidential bid is expensive, and whilst the Irish bookmaker will be fronting the £250,000 fee for David Ginola taking part in the campaign, ordinary folk are being asked to pledge their financial support. The intended, and audacious, target is £2.3m.

It is not all about the money however. David Ginola needs the backing of at least five of the 208 football associations worldwide before January 29th to become an eligible candidate. The election is to take place in May this year. A Paddy Power spokesperson has said that the firm was: “calling on fans globally” to “mobilise and join Team Ginola”.

David Ginola was a supremely talented player, and an equally successful shampoo model, and this latest venture appears to be one to which the 47 year old is committed. Ginola stated of his campaign: “By joining Team Ginola you are saying ‘yes’ to a Fifa built on democracy, transparency and equality. You are saying ‘yes’ to a Fifa which cares about one thing – football.”

There have been accusations however that Ginola is not as knowledgeable about the ins and outs of FIFA, nor some of the issues it is aiming to tackle, as he should be. In a recent press conference Ginola was reportedly unable to name a member of the FIFA executive committee (one which he’d lead should he be elected), nor could he answer questions regarding third party ownership according to Rob Harris, an Associated Press Sports Reporter.

Regardless of Ginola’s current knowledge of FIFA as a governing body, he has powerful backers. What tricks Paddy has up its sleeve for this campaign is anyone’s guess but, should you have Twitter, keep an eye on #TeamGinola as it’s sure to create a buzz.

 

 

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