Sepp Blatter will NOT stand down as FIFA president amid pressure claiming he's ''done nothing illegal or improper''

Published on: 28 September 2015
Sepp Blatter will NOT stand down as FIFA president amid pressure claiming he's ''done nothing illegal or improper''
Sepp Blatter

Sepp Blatter said he will remain as president of FIFA despite increasing pressure for him to stand down.

The 79-year-old supremo maintained "he had done nothing illegal or improper" after criminal proceedings were opened against him by the Swiss attorney general last week.

On Friday the Swiss attorney general’s office said Blatter was being investigated "on suspicion of criminal mismanagement as well as - alternatively - on suspicion of misappropriation.”

The investigations relate to two separate transactions involving Blatter, UEFA president Michel Platini and former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner.

Blatter is suspected of making a “disloyal payment” of two million Swiss francs - around £1.3m - to Platini which was “at the expense of FIFA.”

It is also understood he is being investigated about a TV deal he struck with Warner in 2005.

But he told staff today that he had done "nothing illegal or improper" and remains adamant he will continue to be FIFA president until February next year.

A statement from his attorney said: “President Blatter spoke to FIFA staff today and informed the staff that he was cooperating with the authorities, reiterated that he had done nothing illegal or improper and stated that he would remain as president of FIFA.

“On the (UEFA President Michel) Platini matter, President Blatter on Friday shared with the Swiss authorities the fact that Mr. Platini had a valuable employment relationship with FIFA serving as an adviser to the president beginning in 1998.

“He explained to the prosecutors that the payments were valid compensation and nothing more and were properly accounted for within FIFA including the withholding of Social Security contributions.

“Because of the continuing investigation President Blatter will answer no further questions at this time.”

Blatter intends to stick to his original plan of standing down at the beginning of 2016.

The election to decide who will replace him at the head of world football's governing body will take place on 26 February next year.

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
Learn more