FIFA President Sepp Blatter has bemoaned a "storm against FIFA" over the awarding of the World Cup to Qatar and put the allegations of corruption down to “discrimination and racism” among the world governing body’s critics, according to the London GUARDIAN. Blatter said the allegations “really makes me sad,” and insisted that the Qatar situation "would be discussed at the Fifa Congress on Tuesday and Wednesday." In a speech to the Confederation of African Football, Blatter said, “Once again there is a sort of storm against FIFA relating to the Qatar World Cup. Sadly there’s a great deal of discrimination and racism and this hurts me” (GUARDIAN, 6/9). In London, Ben Rumsby reported Blatter "unleashed an astonishing tirade against the 'racist' British media and what he branded a plot to 'destroy' Fifa" on Sunday night. Blatter "lashed out" against FIFA critics "in two defiant speeches, finally breaking his silence over the corruption crisis." Blatter "dismissed the investigations spearheaded by The Telegraph and Sunday Times." He railed against the “storm against FIFA relating to the Qatar World Cup.” The sentiments "were echoed in a remarkable resolution" passed by CAF -- whose officials have been accused of corruption -- denouncing the “deliberately hateful, defamatory and degrading attacks by some media, notably British, on the image and the integrity of the Confederation of African Football” and urging its exec committee "to file a lawsuit against those responsible." It is "not the first time such claims have been made about the British media, which has long been accused of sour grapes over England’s doomed 2018 bid" (TELEGRAPH, 6/9).
PRESIDENTIAL PLATFORM: The AP's Graham Dunbar noted at the CAF speech, Blatter added, "I don't know what the reasoning is behind this but we must maintain unity. It is the best way to say to all the destructors in the world, they want to destroy not the game, but they want to destroy the institution." Blatter also reminded Asian officials of "Qatargate," a series of reports by France Football magazine which "aggressively questioned the integrity of FIFA's World Cup hosting vote." Blatter "turned the criticism into an appeal for him to remain in office." Blatter: "We are in the situation where we need leadership. I still have fire inside me" (AP, 6/9).
QATAR UNABASHED: In Belfast, Robert Jones reported the 2022 Qatar World Cup organizing committee ''remains confident of holding on to hosting rights" of the event. In a statement, the committee said, "There is an ongoing investigation into the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bid process, with which we have fully co-operated. Consistent with Fifa's rules we have been asked to refrain from commenting on the investigation and we will comply with that request" (BELFAST TELEGRAPH, 6/9).
BECKENBAUER UNCOOPERATIVE: In London, Rumsby reported FIFA ''came under pressure" on Sunday night to ban Germany's Franz Beckenbauer from football after he "admitted refusing to cooperate with the investigation into Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid." Beckenbauer, one of the most revered figures in the game’s history, confirmed last week that he "had snubbed an approach to be interviewed" by FIFA Chief Investigator Michael Garcia over the "controversial 2010 vote." Beckenbauer, who was on the exec committee which awarded the '22 finals to Qatar, claimed Garcia had “no power whatsoever” to make him comply with the probe because he was “no longer actively involved in football” (TELEGRAPH, 6/8). HBO comedian John Oliver made light of the "allegations of corruption" against FIFA (WASHINGTON POST, 6/9).
