Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Blatter denies FIFA in crisis

Europe Correspondent Rachael Brown, staff

Last Updated: Tue, 31 May 2011 07:45:00 +1000

The head of world football's governing body FIFA has dismissed claims of a crisis in the sport, as he prepares for Wednesday's presidential vote.

With only one candidate in the race, commentators say the vote will be nothing more than a coronation.

Sepp Blatter is set for his fourth term as the most powerful man in world football, after being cleared by FIFA's ethics committee on the weekend.

His former rivals for the top job are being investigated, accused of bribing Caribbean officials for their votes in the FIFA poll.

Facing the media overnight, Mr Blatter has denied FIFA is imploding.

"We are not in a crisis. We are only in some difficulties," he said.

Mr Blatter says he regrets the recent damage caused to FIFA's image, but he says his association has no case to answer regarding claims of impropriety in the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids.

Meanwhile, the secretary-general has confirmed he sent a private email suggesting that Qatar bought the right to host the 2022 World Cup.

Jerome Valcke has acknowledged that the email is genuine, but says he had not meant to imply Qatar had engaged in vote-buying.

Qatar has denied any wrongdoing.

Australian Senator Nick Xenophon has demanded FIFA pay the government the $46 million it spent on Australia's bid for the 2022 cup.

He says Australia's bid was never in the running because bribes were being taken for votes.


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