By Andrew Warshaw
September 29 – A bullish Sepp Blatter has decided to dig in his heels and stand his ground despite the criminal investigation into his activities.
Having already agreed to cut short his fifth term of office by stepping down in February, Blatter says he has no intention of resigning insisting he has done “nothing illegal or improper” and has told FIFA’s staff he is staying put.
Swiss prosecutors suspect the veteran Swiss of signing a World Cup TV rights contract, thought to refer to a 2005 deal between FIFA and disgraced former CONCACAF powerbroker Jack Warner, that was “unfavourable” to FIFA, and of making a “disloyal payment” to UEFA president Michel Platini.
It seems inconceivable that the Swiss justice authorities would have opened a criminal investigation without having done their homework on the most powerful man in world football and despite today’s statement, Blatter’s future may no longer be in own hands. If FIFA’s ethics committee find there is enough evidence to suspend him, he may yet find himself having to leave before the scheduled February 26 election.
But in a statement released through his lawyers, Blatter said the SFr2 million payment to Platin was “valid compensation and nothing more”.
“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,” the statement said.
“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.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734892005labto1734892005ofdlr1734892005owedi1734892005sni@w1734892005ahsra1734892005w.wer1734892005dna1734892005