Official statements on the charges against FIFA officials and others were released on Wednesday.
FIFA said in a statement, "FIFA is fully cooperating as an injured party in the actions by Swiss authorities. FIFA welcomes actions that can help contribute to rooting out any wrongdoing in football. We are pleased to see that the investigation is being energetically pursued for the good of football and believe that it will help to reinforce measures that FIFA has already taken." FIFA President Sepp Blatter: "This is a difficult time for football, the fans and for FIFA as an organisation. ... As unfortunate as these events are, it should be clear that we welcome the actions and the investigations by the US and Swiss authorities and believe that it will help to reinforce measures that FIFA has already taken to root out any wrongdoing in football. ... Let me be clear: such misconduct has no place in football and we will ensure that those who engage in it are put out of the game" (FIFA).
UEFA WANTS 'REBOOT': UEFA said in a statement, "Today's events are a disaster for FIFA and tarnish the image of football as a whole. UEFA is deeply shocked and saddened by them. These events show, once again, that corruption is deeply rooted in FIFA's culture. There is a need for the whole of FIFA to be 'rebooted' and for a real reform to be carried out" (UEFA). Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, the man hoping to oust Blatter as FIFA president, "wants change of leadership to restore confidence in football's world governing body. We cannot continue with the crisis in FIFA. FIFA needs leadership that governs guides and protects our national associations. Leadership that accepts responsibility for its actions and does not pass blame. Leadership that restores confidence in the hundreds of millions of football fans around the world" (BBC, 5/27). GOAL's Matthew Rogerson wrote ex-FIFA VP Jack Warner "has protested his innocence." Warner said in a statement, "The people of Trinidad and Tobago will know that I quit FIFA and international football more than four years ago and that over the past several years I have recommitted my life to the work of improving the lot of every citizen of every creed and race in this nation. I have fought fearlessly against all forms of injustice and corruption. I have been afforded no due process and I have not even been questioned in this matter. I reiterate that I am innocent of any charges" (GOAL, 5/27).
