ABSTRACT
FIFA and the Men Who Made It
Alan Tomlinson
La Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has had eight presidents since its formation in 1904. The first six were from England, France and Belgium, the seventh and eighth from Brazil and Switzerland respectively. This essay explores the background and philosophes of the presidents, showing how a sports ethos rooted in educational beliefs and idealism has been superseded by a big-business ethos combining global market expansion and personal aggrandizement. The analysis combines scrutiny of documentary sources and organizational records with use of oral history, qualitative interviews and personal observation of FIFA events and congresses. It shows how key powerbrokers are reshaping the future of world football.
