By Andrew Warshaw
May 18 – FIFA president Sepp Blatter says he plans to visit the United States in June next year as he dismissed claims that he is avoiding setting foot in the country for fear of being caught up in an FBI probe.
A television documentary alleged Blatter has intentionally stayed away from the USA since 2011 because of an FBI investigation into the bidding process that led to the award of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar respectively. Although FIFA earlier this year closed the case on the bid process after conducting their own inquiry and ruling that there was no evidence of any wrongdoing by Qatar or Russia (the FIFA investigation was lead by former FBI head honcho Michael Garcia), US federal agents and prosecutors are reported to be continuing their inquiries into possible corruption. Though no details have been released it is most likely to do with tax evasion.
Blatter says he is not being investigated – but admitted former colleagues are. “I know that in the US there is an investigation against former people who have been in my government. There is nothing against me.”
The investigation into alleged football corruption does involve ex-CONCACAF president and general secretary Jack Warner and Chuck Blazer.
Blatter, almost certain to be re-elected as FIFA president next week, said he plans to visit the US in June 2016 to coincide with next year’s Copa America. “I will be there if elected. Even if not elected, they will invite me I am sure.”
Meanwhile, with the tension mounting over the election, Blatter has found himself being scrutinised over presidential election rules by issuing a letter to all 209 member federations of FIFA.
The letter, headlined “Together” and which begins “Dear friends of football…” did not call for federations to back his bid but the tone and timing were being interpreted in some quarters as a possible breach of rules which forbid candidates from aligning campaign activities with duties connected to their official positions.
The letter identified several areas where “there is still work to be done”, including promoting women’s football, combating discrimination and racism, and cracking down on match fixing. Blatter has yet to issue a manifesto and although FIFA denied that he was doing anything wrong with this letter and that it was totally unconnected with the election, it does show how sensitive the run-up has become.
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