Sports Briefs
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SEPP Blatter, outgoing FIFA president, is insisting that he is “clean” and “there is no corruption in football” despite ongoing criminal investigations at world football’s governing body. Blatter, in an interview with the BBC, said the federation was not corrupt and that he decided to step down because he wanted to protect FIFA. “I can protect myself. I am strong enough,” he said.
He added: “I know what I have done, what I have not done. I have my conscience and I know I’m an honest man. I am clean. I am not a worried man.”
A Swiss investigation is also looking into the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, leading to speculation that Russia and Qatar could be stripped of football’s flagship event and a re-vote ordered.
But Blatter remains defiant and defensive of FIFA, saying: “The institution is not corrupt,” he said, adding; “There is no corruption in football, there is corruption with individuals, it is the people.”
Two criminal investigations into the alleged FIFA corruption are still ongoing. So far, 14 people have been indicted by the United States justice department following claims that bribes and kickbacks of more than $150million (£97million) were handed out over a 24-year period.
Blatter, president since 1998, will step down in February amid an inquiry into allegations of systematic bribery. The 79-year-old was elected for a fifth term in May but then stood down.
— Sep 7, 2015 @ 01:00 GMT
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