(ATR) The whistleblower who helped topple the president of the International Volleyball Federation 14 years ago tries to make peace with current leadership of the FIVB.
Mario Goijman, the former president of the Argentina Volleyball Federation, met in Buenos Aires Wednesday with FIVB officials at the federation congress being held this week at the Hilton.
A statement from FIVB says Goijman met with federation General Director Fabio Azevedo and Argentina Volleyball Federation President Juan Antonio Gutierrez.
The meeting follows an open letter sent to the FIVB by Jens Sejer Andersen, international director of Play the Game, the Denmark-based NGO which lobbies for good governance in sports.
Andersen called for FIVB to meet with Goijman during its assembly in Argentina. Andersen wants FIVB to acknowledge the contribution of Goijman to reform of volleyball and restore the shattered finances Goijman suffered in 2002 when he used his own money to guarantee the TV coverage of the world championships that year in Buenos Aires. Goijman was evicted from his home four years ago as a result of the collapse of his finances. A diabetic, Goijman has suffered a decline in his health he has blamed on the stress of the conflict with the FIVB.
Goijman, who openly challenged the rule of then FIVB president Ruben Acosta, was expelled from the international federation along with the Argentina federation, its membership since restored.
In its statement today, the FIVB calls the meeting "positive and productive" and "agreed to provide a response in a timely manner".
"They listened to Mr. Goijman’s complaints against former FIVB President Ruben Acosta before explaining the FIVB’s legal position and constraints".
The FIVB notes that it did reach a legal settlement with Goijman more than five years ago "therefore the FIVB is under no obligation to act one way or the other".
"Any FIVB decision needs to be totally compliant with FIVB regulations and in accordance with good governance and financial integrity principles highlighted by President Graça during Day 1 of the 35th FIVB Congress in Buenos Aires," says the FIVB statement.
To see the letter from Play the Game to FIVB, click here.
Written by Ed Hula.
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