FIFA rule change opens door to departure from Switzerland

On Friday, football’s international governing body laid the formal foundations for a theoretical departure from its headquarters in Zurich. However, FIFA is “happy” in Switzerland, the association said before the congress vote. According to an amendment to its statutes approved by Congress members in Bangkok on Friday, FIFA’s central office will continue to be located in the Swiss city of Zurich – until the Congress makes a decision to change this. There was no such clause until now. “Until our members decide otherwise, Zurich will remain our headquarters,” a FIFA spokesperson told the German news agency DPA, noting that there are many other sporting and international organisations based in Geneva and Lausanne. “In fact, we are currently considering opening branch offices in other locations in Switzerland and thus expanding our presence in the country.” + Read more: will FIFA leave Switzerland? SFA would regret a move away The Swiss delegation had announced that it would abstain or ...