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Sepp Blatter says decision to leave Fifa was ‘liberating’ Sepp Blatter says decision to leave Fifa was ‘liberating’
(about 5 hours later)
Sepp Blatter says his decision to leave Fifa was “liberating” and he expects the election to replace him will be in early 2016. In an interview published on Saturday, Blatter explained why, on 2 June, he announced his planned Fifa exit amid American and Swiss investigations of corruption in world football. “It was the only way to take away the pressure from Fifa and my employees, including [pressure] from the sponsors,” Blatter told his local Walliser Bote newspaper. “To remove Fifa and me personally from the line of fire.” Sepp Blatter says his decision to leave Fifa was “liberating” and he expects the election to replace him will be in early 2016. In an interview published on Saturday, Blatter explained why, on 2 June, he announced his exit from Fifa amid American and Swiss investigations of corruption in world football. “It was the only way to take away the pressure from Fifa and my employees, including [pressure] from the sponsors,” Blatter told the Swiss newspaper Walliser Bote. “To remove Fifa and me personally from the line of fire.”
Blatter was asked “hand on heart” if he would renege on his promise to go. “I am not a candidate, but the elected president,” Blatter said in an interview given several days ago. “And I want to hand over Fifa in good condition.” Blatter was asked hand on heart if he would renege on his promise to go. “I am not a candidate, but the elected president,” Blatter said in the interview given several days ago. “And I want to hand over Fifa in good condition.”
That is likely to be next year, he suggested, at a special election congress of Fifa’s 209 member federations in Zurich. Blatter said the “realistic” date was the beginning of next year, to prepare a four-month election campaign required by Fifa rules and avoid a clash with the Club World Cup. That tournament in Japan is scheduled to take place from 10-20 December. That is likely to be in 2016, he suggested, at a special election congress of Fifa’s 209 member federations in Zurich. Blatter said the realistic date was the beginning of next year, to prepare a four-month election campaign required by Fifa rules and avoid a clash with the Club World Cup. That tournament in Japan is scheduled to take place from 10-20 December.
In his most frank comments since his declaration on 2 June, the 79-year-old reflected on the approaching end of his four decades at Fifa and what lies ahead. “I am not yet having many thoughts about this, and am not worrying,” he said. “The decision to go is definitely liberating. For Fifa and for myself.” In his most frank comments since his declaration on 2 June, he reflected on the approaching end of his four decades at Fifa and what lies ahead. “I am not yet having many thoughts about this, and am not worrying,” he said. “The decision to go is definitely liberating. For Fifa and for myself.”
He suggested that his final months will be busy, despite many descriptions of him as a lame-duck leader. “I am still president of Fifa and fully capable of acting. Fifa and football have been the most important part of my life for 40 years,” Blatter said. “So I will use all my strength and inspiration up to my last working day to steer the ship back into the safe harbour.”He suggested that his final months will be busy, despite many descriptions of him as a lame-duck leader. “I am still president of Fifa and fully capable of acting. Fifa and football have been the most important part of my life for 40 years,” Blatter said. “So I will use all my strength and inspiration up to my last working day to steer the ship back into the safe harbour.”
Blatter has pledged to drive through reforms which could be approved at the election congress. “The key to this is strengthening democracy in the ‘Fifa government’,” he said. “There should not be a redistribution of the places on the executive committee, but an appropriate expansion of the body.”Blatter has pledged to drive through reforms which could be approved at the election congress. “The key to this is strengthening democracy in the ‘Fifa government’,” he said. “There should not be a redistribution of the places on the executive committee, but an appropriate expansion of the body.”
Blatter said Asia and Africa were not democratically represented on the Exco he has chaired as president since 1998. The two continents combine for 100 Fifa members yet have only nine of 25 voting seats on the ruling panel. Blatter said Asia and Africa were not democratically represented on the exco he has chaired as president since 1998. The two continents combine for 100 Fifa members yet have only nine of 25 voting seats on the ruling panel.
Further tensions with Uefa are likely with Europe’s traditional influence in world football under attack. Blatter won re-election last month despite Uefa’s, president Michel Platini, urging him to resign. Their face-to-face meeting followed the day after US and Swiss federal cases hit Fifa and top officials with raids in Zurich for separate investigations of alleged corruption. The events of 27 May were an “earthquake” for football, Blatter acknowledged. Further tensions with Uefa are likely with Europe’s traditional influence in world football under attack. Blatter won re-election last month despite Uefa’s president, Michel Platini, urging him to resign. Their face-to-face meeting followed the day after US and Swiss federal cases hit Fifa and top officials with raids in Zurich for separate investigations of alleged corruption. The events of 27 May were an “earthquake” for football, Blatter acknowledged.
The Swiss investigation focuses on possible money laundering and criminal mismanagement at Fifa, mainly in the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding process. Switzerland’s attorney general, Michael Lauber, has said Blatter is not under suspicion but could be questioned.The Swiss investigation focuses on possible money laundering and criminal mismanagement at Fifa, mainly in the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding process. Switzerland’s attorney general, Michael Lauber, has said Blatter is not under suspicion but could be questioned.
The US case alleges bribery in the 2010 World Cup hosting vote and widespread bribery and racketeering implicating senior Fifa officials in organising competitions in North and South America. Seven men among 14 indicted have been detained in Zurich and face extradition to the US. Blatter is a part of the widening investigation, American law enforcement officials have confirmed.The US case alleges bribery in the 2010 World Cup hosting vote and widespread bribery and racketeering implicating senior Fifa officials in organising competitions in North and South America. Seven men among 14 indicted have been detained in Zurich and face extradition to the US. Blatter is a part of the widening investigation, American law enforcement officials have confirmed.
The interview did not address if Blatter is avoiding travel to countries where he risks arrest at the request of American authorities. The Women’s World Cup final is played on Sunday 5 July in Vancouver, Canada. Blatter was not asked whether he is avoiding travel to countries where he risks arrest at the request of American authorities. The Women’s World Cup final is played on Sunday 5 July in Vancouver.
Blatter offered one piece of advice to his successor: that he should continue with Fifa development programs which 130 members depend on. Asked if he expected Platini to seek the presidency, Blatter replied: “I’m not a prophet. You’ll have to ask him.”Blatter offered one piece of advice to his successor: that he should continue with Fifa development programs which 130 members depend on. Asked if he expected Platini to seek the presidency, Blatter replied: “I’m not a prophet. You’ll have to ask him.”