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Sepp Blatter: Europe's 'hate' campaign against Fifa Fifa corruption crisis: Sepp Blatter downplays US indictment
(about 1 hour later)
Fifa president Sepp Blatter has condemned what he described as a "hate" campaign against football's world governing body by European officials. Re-elected Fifa president Sepp Blatter has sought to downplay the US criminal proceedings launched against officials of world football's governing body.
And he said he was "shocked" by the comments of US prosecutors following the arrests of Fifa officials under an American anti-corruption warrant. Seven officials and associates were arrested in Zurich on US corruption indictments earlier this week, as Fifa gathered for its congress.
The 79-year-old Swiss was re-elected on Friday at a Fifa congress in Zurich. Mr Blatter, 79, described the issue as "infractions" involving a marketing company operating in the Americas.
European football governing body Uefa's president Michel Platini had urged Mr Blatter to step down ahead of the vote. "I don't see how Fifa should have been directly affected by this," he said.
Mr Blatter's rival, Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan, forced a second round of voting on Friday but then withdrew. Mr Blatter won 133 to Prince Ali's 73 in the first round, just short of the 140 votes needed for an outright win. Speaking at a news conference in the Swiss city, he again questioned the timing of the US prosecutors, saying his organisation "could have been contacted at another time" rather than just before its congress assembled.
On Wednesday, US prosecutors indicted 14 Fifa officials and associates, with seven arrested in a dawn raid at an upmarket hotel in Zurich. They are accused of bribery, racketeering and money-laundering involving tens of millions of dollars since 1991. Mr Blatter beat Prince Ali Bin al-Hussein of Jordan in Friday's election, and is starting his fifth four-year term as president.
Meanwhile, Swiss authorities have launched a separate criminal investigation into the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments to Russia and Qatar. Answering questions from reporters, he denied that he was the unnamed senior Fifa official who allegedly authorised the payment of a $10m bribe relating to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
At the scene: Imogen Foulkes, BBC News, Zurich Analysis: Imogen Foulkes, BBC News, Zurich
Sepp Blatter was brimming with confidence after his election for a fifth term as Fifa present. Sepp Blatter was brimming with confidence in his interview with Swiss TV after his election for a fifth term as Fifa present.
Asked about damage to Fifa's image because of the many allegations of corruption, he blamed the media for exaggerating the crisis, saying Fifa remained well regarded, most especially in Asia and Africa.Asked about damage to Fifa's image because of the many allegations of corruption, he blamed the media for exaggerating the crisis, saying Fifa remained well regarded, most especially in Asia and Africa.
Responding to criticism of his personal leadership, he said: "I've just been elected tor a fifth term, there can't be that much wrong with me."Responding to criticism of his personal leadership, he said: "I've just been elected tor a fifth term, there can't be that much wrong with me."
But beneath the ebullience, Fifa and its president have a lot of work to do. European football associations, who had demanded Mr Blatter's resignation, are still considering their response to his re-election.But beneath the ebullience, Fifa and its president have a lot of work to do. European football associations, who had demanded Mr Blatter's resignation, are still considering their response to his re-election.
And Fifa and its officials now face two major international investigations into corruption and bribery. US and Swiss prosecutors have suggested there may be more arrests to come.And Fifa and its officials now face two major international investigations into corruption and bribery. US and Swiss prosecutors have suggested there may be more arrests to come.
Fifa corruption claims: Key questions answeredFifa corruption claims: Key questions answered
How Fifa makes and spends its moneyHow Fifa makes and spends its money
Fifa scandal 'a disaster' for sponsorsFifa scandal 'a disaster' for sponsors
Spelling out details of the US case earlier this week, Attorney General Loretta Lynch said: "They corrupted the business of worldwide soccer to serve their interests and to enrich themselves." Mr Blatter insisted that Fifa could move on from the crisis with him at the helm.
"It's no longer a storm, it's less strong at the moment," he said, adding that 132 nations had expressed confidence in him in the presidential vote. "I will continue to struggle and fight for good things."
In a sideswipe at European football's governing body Uefa, he criticised the body for not setting up an ethics committee along the lines of Fifa's own, to "set an example" to other, less wealthy and influential regional confederations.
Uefa's president Michel Platini had urged Mr Blatter to step down ahead of Friday's presidential vote, and Uefa strongly backed his rival for the post, Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan.
Prince Ali forced a second round of voting but then withdrew. Mr Blatter won 133 to Prince Ali's 73 in the first round, just short of the 140 votes needed for an outright win.
Mr Blatter was widely supported in Africa and Asia, and his re-election was welcomed by the hosts of the next World Cup, Russia - with President Vladimir Putin sending Mr Blatter a telegram of congratulation on Saturday.
Earlier, speaking to Swiss TV station RTS, Mr Blatter condemned what he described as a "hate" campaign against Fifa by European footballing nations.
And he said he was "shocked" by the comments of US prosecutors following the arrests of Fifa officials under an American anti-corruption warrant. One termed the case as "the World Cup of fraud" and said Fifa was being issued with a red card.
Mr Blatter said he suspected the arrests were an attempt to "interfere with the congress" at which he was re-elected. "I am not certain, but it doesn't smell good," he said.
He noted that the US had lost out in the bidding for the 2022 World Cup to Qatar while England, another major critic, had lost out to Russia for the right to hold the 2018 World Cup - and that the US was the "number-one sponsor" of the state of Jordan, the homeland of the defeated challenger for the Fifa presidency.
Uefa's next move?
On Wednesday, US prosecutors indicted 14 Fifa officials and associates, including the seven arrested in a dawn raid at an upmarket hotel in Zurich. They are accused of bribery, racketeering and money-laundering involving tens of millions of dollars since 1991.
Ahead of Mr Blatter's comments on Saturday, US tax official Richard Weber told The New York Times he was "fairly confident that we will have another round of indictments".Ahead of Mr Blatter's comments on Saturday, US tax official Richard Weber told The New York Times he was "fairly confident that we will have another round of indictments".
But in an uncompromising interview with Swiss television station RTS on Saturday, Mr Blatter said he suspected the arrests were an attempt to "interfere with the congress" at which he was re-elected. "I am not certain, but it doesn't smell good," he said. Meanwhile, Swiss authorities have launched a separate criminal investigation into the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments to Russia and Qatar.
He noted that the US had lost out in the bidding for the 2022 World Cup to Qatar while England, another major critic, had lost out to Russia for the right to hold the 2018 World Cup - and that the US was the "number-one sponsor" of the state of Jordan, the homeland of defeated challenger for the Fifa presidency.
He also condemned the comments made by Ms Lynch and other US prosecutors, one of whom referred to a "World Cup of fraud".
Mr Blatter said: "Of course I am shocked. I would never as Fifa president make comments about another organisation without being certain of what has happened."
Mr Blatter was widely supported in Africa and Asia, and his re-election was welcomed by the hosts of the next World Cup, Russia - with President Vladimir Putin sending Mr Blatter a telegram of congratulation.
However, many European football associations have reacted with concern to Mr Blatter's re-election.
Uefa had backed Prince Ali, with Mr Platini describing his candidacy as "a movement for change at Fifa".
In an apparent reference to Mr Platini's call for him to resign, Mr Blatter said: "It is a hate that comes not just from a person at Uefa, it comes from the Uefa organisation that cannot understand that in 1998 I became president."
Asked whether he would forgive Mr Platini for the calling on him to step down, Mr Blatter said: "I forgive everyone, but I do not forget."
European football associations will meet at next week's Champions League final in Berlin to discuss their next move.European football associations will meet at next week's Champions League final in Berlin to discuss their next move.
Europe's seat at the next meeting of Fifa's powerful executive committee will be empty, as newly appointed representative David Gill has confirmed he will not take up his post following Mr Blatter's re-election. Europe's seat at Saturday's meeting of Fifa's powerful executive committee was empty, as newly appointed representative David Gill confirmed he would not take up his post following Mr Blatter's re-election.
The 57-year-old Englishman, chief executive of Manchester United from 2003 to 2013, said in a statement: "This action is not something I take lightly but the terribly damaging events of the last three days have convinced me it is not appropriate to be a member of the Fifa executive committee under the current leadership," Gill said
"I do recognise that Mr Blatter has been democratically elected and wish Fifa every success in tackling the many troubling issues it faces. However, my professional reputation is critical to me and I simply do not see how there will be change for the good of world football while Mr Blatter remains in post."
Sepp Blatter in his own words:Sepp Blatter in his own words:
"I am the president now, the president of everybody" - on his re-election for a fifth term in office"I am the president now, the president of everybody" - on his re-election for a fifth term in office
"The unity of action and time, a classic tragedy of Greece in which we never know how it will end" - his description of football"The unity of action and time, a classic tragedy of Greece in which we never know how it will end" - his description of football
"I'd say they should refrain from any sexual activities" - when asked if he foresaw any cultural problems for gay people at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar (apparently this was a joke)"I'd say they should refrain from any sexual activities" - when asked if he foresaw any cultural problems for gay people at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar (apparently this was a joke)
"This is a special approach in the Anglo-Saxon countries. If this had happened in, let's say, Latin countries then I think he would have been applauded" - on John Terry's removal as England team captain following an alleged affair in 2010"This is a special approach in the Anglo-Saxon countries. If this had happened in, let's say, Latin countries then I think he would have been applauded" - on John Terry's removal as England team captain following an alleged affair in 2010
"I could understand it if it had happened in Africa, but not in Italy" - on the 2006 match-fixing scandal in Italy"I could understand it if it had happened in Africa, but not in Italy" - on the 2006 match-fixing scandal in Italy
"I think in football there's too much modern slavery in transferring players or buying players, and putting them somewhere" - on Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid in 2008"I think in football there's too much modern slavery in transferring players or buying players, and putting them somewhere" - on Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid in 2008
"They could, for example, have tighter shorts. Female players are pretty, if you excuse me for saying so, and they already have some different rules to men - such as playing with a lighter ball. That decision was taken to create a more female aesthetic, so why not do it in fashion?" - on women's football, in 2004"They could, for example, have tighter shorts. Female players are pretty, if you excuse me for saying so, and they already have some different rules to men - such as playing with a lighter ball. That decision was taken to create a more female aesthetic, so why not do it in fashion?" - on women's football, in 2004