October 7 – With FIFA president Sepp Blatter currently not speaking to the press, what he is thinking is really anyone’s guess, and plenty are guessing. What we do know is that he is still running FIFA and that he is adamant that despite accusations and investigations he intends to carry on until the election of the new FIFA president in February next year.
One person who does know what he is thinking is Klaus Stöhlker, the independent PR guru who has taken charge of Batter’s press statements. The interview with Stöhlker was first published on Swiss website persoenlich.com.
Stöhlker has an impressive track record in Swiss strategic advisory and public affairs and his reading of the Blatter situation and his current mindset, is the best and most logical insight we have had into the running of FIFA in the past month.
Q. Coca-Cola and McDonalds have demanded Mr Blatter’s resignation. Will they succeed?
A. We are talking about five US sponsors who demanded Sepp Blatter’s resignation. The German and South Korean sponsors have refused to do so. As we are obviously looking at a “politically motivated” campaign, Mr Blatter has decided not to consider it. There are sufficient global corporations around who would instantly fill the gap, if the US sponsors pull out. Which is also why they have not threatened to terminate the existing contracts with FIFA.
Q. You are in close contact with Mr Blatter. How is he?
A. President Joseph S Blatter is facing a very trying situation but thanks to his experience and his ability to resist pressure, he prevails. He knows that his immediate exit would seriously endanger the proper functioning of FIFA and he knows what his obligations are. His charm has not suffered and neither has his “handshake for peace” that he gifted to world football. He’s got the same energy as before. He feels somewhat let down by the Swiss media who do not value the work of his lifetime sufficiently. This is in sharp contrast to the Government of the Canton of Zurich, which is openly in support of FIFA.
Q. Will he resign now that he was questioned by the Swiss Attorney General’s Office?
A. One does not resign because of an interrogation; presently, the AGO is busy studying documents. President Blatter stated clearly that he is not guilty of any wrongdoing. On the other hand, the Ethics Committee has the right to suspend him. Whether it will, remains to be seen.
Q. But is he still able to conduct FIFA’s affairs?
A. FIFA is led by its president. This year, he can celebrate his 40th anniversary at FIFA. Anybody who managed to expand a simple association with 12 employees into a global concern with 1.6 billion fans and 300 million players, will always be in a position to manage FIFA’s affairs. You also might want to note that the attacks against the president hail predominantly from Europe and the USA; in other regions of the world he still has loyal allies.
Q. Who manages FIFA today?
A. FIFA’s plans are long term and dedicated to the staging of the World Cup in Moscow in 2018 and Qatar in 2022; add to that many further events. The continued growth of women’s football is a special project of the president; he also wants to include more women at the top of the administration of world football.
That is why running, managing FIFA is in his blood; he masters a work-load that starts at 7am in the morning and doesn’t stop until late in the evening. All this is only possible because he has always been very disciplined.
Q. In your view, what’s next?
A. The decision of the Ethics Committee is important; it is a Committee Sepp Blatter has personally brought to life. Nobody can avoid its rulings. In case their judgment is in his favour, he will lead FIFA the very way that only he can. Until the end of October, the candidates will submit their dossiers for their presidential candidacy, upon which they will be scrutinized. Later, we shall see which candidate has the best set of cards on February 26, 2016. The electorate consists of 209 Members of FIFA, also a statute that was introduced by Sepp Blatter. Meanwhile the AOG and the US authorities will continue with their investigations. In the meantime, world football, which generates over 300 billion Euros, will experience new heights. The viewership figures show an annual increase of 20%; the income reflects that.
Q. How badly hurt is Michel Platini, who wants to succeed Sepp Blatter, by all of these events?
A. Mr Platini is indeed affected by all this, as even the friends of “Platoche” say in France. In many places he is called a “Blatter clone”, which does no justice to Mr Blatter, whose achievements for world football are undisputed. If the Ethics Committee does not give him a clean bill of health, his candidacy is probably over.
At that time, the cards need to be reshuffled and we shall see whether a European, an African, a Latin American or an Asian president will lead FIFA in the future.
Q. Do you know why Sepp Blatter paid those millions to Michel Platini?
A. FIFA paid Michel Platini the fees that had been agreed to compensate him for his services.
Q. And lastly, what keeps you busy these days?
A. I do my daily work as PR consultant for a dozen or so Swiss and international clients; in addition to that, I accompany the founder of digitec, Marcel Dobler, who is a candidate of the FDP (Liberal Democratic Party) on the final sprint for his candidacy to the lower house of federal parliament as an MP for the Canton of St. Gall on October 18. With Sepp Blatter I am in regular contact, as is “ghost”, in a way, as somebody who carefully follows the goings-on at and around FIFA. My wish is for FIFA to remain in Switzerland and for Joseph S. Blatter to get the recognition he deserves for his great accomplishments.