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FIFA: Jerome Champagne wants the Garcia report made public

Jerome Champagne
Image: Jerome Champagne wants the Garcia report made public

Jerome Champagne, who is standing against Sepp Blatter in the 2015 FIFA presidential campaign, wants the Garcia report into World Cup bidding to be made public.

FIFA president Blatter has rejected calls to publish the report by the governing body's independent investigator Michael Garcia saying any decision is out of their hands and would threaten witness confidentiality.

The decision to publish now rests with German judge Hans-Joachim Eckert, who is considering the report and will announce his findings in November.

But Champagne told Sky Sports News HQ he wants the report released to the public as soon as possible.

He said: "Releasing this report will contribute importantly to the rebuilding of the image of FIFA. In a democratic system the transparency in the judicial system is very important and that is why I have been advocating for the past month that we need to know.

FIFA ethics prosecutor Michael Garcia delivers a speech during the 64th FIFA congress on June 11, 2014 in Sao Paulo
Image: Michael Garcia: Independent investigator has compiled report

"In a democracy, you are innocent until proven guilty and that's why we need to know what happened."

The Frenchman also voiced his concerns about FIFA hosting the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

"We have the issue of the Indian sub continent workers and we have the issue of the change of date," he said. "We voted for a World Cup in June and July and now if it is switched to winter we are going to create chaos in all the competitions all around the world."

Champagne is currently the only candidate standing against Blatter in the presidential campaign but he believes other candidates may yet put their names forward.

"What is clear is that to win it you have to run and introduce yourself as a candidate," he said. "An election is eight months away from the day of the vote so a lot of things can happen.

"I say canvass and convince, we still have eight months and other candidates may surface.

"I have asked for live debates and I do hope some TV stations will propose to the candidates, when the list is known, a live debate for the people of football to know who will be the leader for years to come.

"I decide to launch myself on January 20 in London and I chose London on purpose because it was the place where the first FA was funded. I have decided my strategy and my vision."

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