David Ginola’s Fifa president campaign raises just £5,506

David Ginola’s Fifa president campaign raises just £5,506 in first week

• Former France midfielder trying to reach £2.3m target
• Ginola wants combined men and women’s World Cups


David Ginola appeared on ITV's Good Morning Britain as he attempts to raise more than £2m to fund his campaign. Photograph: Ken McKay/ITV/REX

David Ginola’s attempts to raise £2.3m to fund his campaign to become Fifa president have not exactly been going to plan.

Having announced his candidacy for May’s election last week, the former Newcastle and Tottenham midfielder has until 29 January to prove to Fifa he has played an “active role” in football for two of the last five years, while also showing he has the support of five national associations.

Already backed by a bookmaker to the tune of £250,000, Team Ginola announced their overall target to fund the campaign last week but, as of Tuesday lunchtime, had raised just £5,506 towards the total – the equivalent of just 0.27%.

Of those to donate, 45 people had pledged £5 to become a “member”, with a further 35 paying £10 to become a “squad player” and 38 paying £20 to become a “playmaker”. Just three businesses had stumped up £1,000 for the honour of becoming an “official sponsor”.

Meanwhile, Ginola has stated that he would like to see the men’s and women’s football World Cups to be staged simultaneously.

“Despite talented players, dedicated fans and far-reaching interest around the sport, women’s football continues to be limited by both attitudinal and financial discrimination. In this day and age, it’s just not good enough,” said Ginola.

“One of the key ways we’ll make a difference is by adopting the Olympic model that sees all athletes compete under one banner, in one country, during one timeframe.”

Guardian