FIFA president Sepp Blatter has admitted that “great damage” has been done to world football’s governing body by bribery allegations but insisted there was no problem with awarding the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.
Blatter, 75, is due to stand for reelection as FIFA president on June 1. His sole rival, Qatari Mohamed bin Hammam, was suspended by FIFA’s disciplinary committee on May 29 amid corruption allegations. He also withdrew his candidacy.
Blatter, speaking at a tense news conference in Zurich on May 30, denied that soccer’s governing body was in crisis, saying his organization would solve any “difficulties” internally.
FIFA has been dogged by corruption allegations since the vote last year to stage the 2018 and 2022, leading to widespread calls for reform.
Blatter also said there were no issues with the process to award the tournaments to Russia and Qatar respectively.
compiled from agency reports