March 19 – FIFA president Sepp Blatter has rejected a joint offer from UK broadcasters the BBC and Sky to take part in a political-style live television debate alongside his three rivals ahead of the presidential election at the end of May.
The two organisations had invited Blatter as well as Jordan’s Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, Dutch FA president Michael van Praag and former Portuguese icon Luis Figo to take part in an hour-long debate, answering questions from an international audience of fans.
Sky said the three challengers for Blatter’s post accepted the invitation in principle but on the condition that the veteran Swiss also participates.
FIFA has now apparently informed both broadcasters that Blatter has declined the invitation.
Sky and the BBC had proposed holding the debate on television, radio and online. Their invitation stated: “We believe this is a perfect opportunity for those who aspire to the FIFA presidency to address the issues that matter to supporters of the world’s favourite game.”
Prince Ali told the broadcasters he was “very keen to participate” while Figo wrote: “It will be a pleasure to contribute to such an important discussion for football.”
Blatter has been running a lower-profile public campaign and has yet to issue a manifesto. As odds-on favourite to win a fifth term of office he would likely have nothing to gain by taking part in a televised grilling. With the three challengers to Blatter all being co-ordinated from a European-driven obsession with his overthrow, there was always the danger for him that the debate to could turn into a kangaroo court whatever the promises of the broadcasters.
Tomorrow FIFA holds what is likely to be a highly charged press conference in Zurich following the latest executive committee meeting. The announcement of dates for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is expected.
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