I see no formal reason for a postponement
The conference (of the Slovak FA) is defined by the regulations of the Slovak Football Association, and according to available information, the entire process has been followed, which means that from a legal point of view nothing prevents it from taking place on Friday. It is the highest body of the Slovak Football Association. At this point, I see no formal reason for a delay.
We can clearly agree that such a situation before an election conference of the Slovak Football Association has never happened. The mere fact that a second candidate has emerged is a novelty, since nothing like that occurred at the last three election conferences. Of course, anyone who does not like elections with results such as 100:0 must have welcomed this. From an outside perspective, therefore, it should bring a refreshing element to the conference. However, there have also been events in recent weeks and months, namely an unprecedented dispute with the minister who heads the central state administration authority for sport. Various serious allegations have appeared in the media regarding the association’s financing and specifically concerning one of the candidates, the current president. This is a second dimension that is absolutely exceptional.
In the Slovak Football Association environment, conferences have always looked the same: the agenda was clearly set and discussion was not very intense. This is a very different situation. Why couldn’t a change happen, and why couldn’t Peter Palencik be a better president than Jan Kovacik? I have come into contact with both as a players’ agent or sports lawyer. As an observer, on a substantive level I have not seen a strong distinction suggesting he would approach things differently. At the same time, after about sixteen years, it is probably time for a change. A fresh wind could come, along with a somewhat younger candidate who has demonstrated his qualities in specific events, for example at the European Under-21 championship.
Of course, Jan Kovacik must explain the “mobile phones” case at the election conference. I see no reason why the Slovak Football Association should enter legal relationships as a guarantor in this situation. This is an ongoing matter, and the basic question is why such a thing happened at all. The president’s signature, by which the association guarantees something, should never have been given. The question is whether there was a misjudgment of risk. This must be a topic of the conference. Every delegate must receive all relevant information before it begins, since day after day we see various interpretations.
(Published in the Sport Daily)
We can clearly agree that such a situation before an election conference of the Slovak Football Association has never happened. The mere fact that a second candidate has emerged is a novelty, since nothing like that occurred at the last three election conferences. Of course, anyone who does not like elections with results such as 100:0 must have welcomed this. From an outside perspective, therefore, it should bring a refreshing element to the conference. However, there have also been events in recent weeks and months, namely an unprecedented dispute with the minister who heads the central state administration authority for sport. Various serious allegations have appeared in the media regarding the association’s financing and specifically concerning one of the candidates, the current president. This is a second dimension that is absolutely exceptional.
In the Slovak Football Association environment, conferences have always looked the same: the agenda was clearly set and discussion was not very intense. This is a very different situation. Why couldn’t a change happen, and why couldn’t Peter Palencik be a better president than Jan Kovacik? I have come into contact with both as a players’ agent or sports lawyer. As an observer, on a substantive level I have not seen a strong distinction suggesting he would approach things differently. At the same time, after about sixteen years, it is probably time for a change. A fresh wind could come, along with a somewhat younger candidate who has demonstrated his qualities in specific events, for example at the European Under-21 championship.
Of course, Jan Kovacik must explain the “mobile phones” case at the election conference. I see no reason why the Slovak Football Association should enter legal relationships as a guarantor in this situation. This is an ongoing matter, and the basic question is why such a thing happened at all. The president’s signature, by which the association guarantees something, should never have been given. The question is whether there was a misjudgment of risk. This must be a topic of the conference. Every delegate must receive all relevant information before it begins, since day after day we see various interpretations.
(Published in the Sport Daily)
