November 13 – Suspended FIFA president Sepp Blatter has been discharged from hospital after what was described as a “small emotional breakdown”.
Blatter, 79, who has led world football’s governing body for 18 years and is currently under suspension pending the outcome of a criminal case that centres on whether he misused FIFA money by making a €2 million (£1.35m) payment to Michel Platini for consultation work, was admitted for stress-related health checks but is now at home and “relaxing a few days,” said his spokesman Klaus Stölhker.
“His most important message is that he is fully preparing himself to go ahead with his fight against his 90-day suspension. He is deeply convinced that the ethics commission cannot force him out,” Stöhlker said this week.
Another aide of Blatter, former FIFA official Walter Gagg, said Blatter still hopes to host the annual Ballon d’Or award ceremony in Zurich on 11 January after his suspension expires though it can be extended for another 45 days.
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