Sepp Blatter denies any wrongdoing in FIFA's corruption scandal.GETTY IMAGES
Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter intends to ask the ethics committee of the global football body to "reconsider his case and lift his six-year ban from the sport," according to Brian Homewood of REUTERS. Blatter, who led FIFA for 17 years, was barred for ethics violations in '15 "amid the biggest corruption scandal to shake" world football’s governing body. The ban was imposed "shortly after the Swiss attorney general’s office began criminal proceedings against him" on suspicion of criminal mismanagement and misappropriation. No charges have yet been brought and Blatter has "denied wrongdoing." Blatter said, "It is now two-and-a-half years, this file has not moved. It is like having the Sword of Damocles over my head because you never know what will happen" (REUTERS, 3/8).
'THEY ARE AFRAID': The AP's Graham Dunbar reported Blatter said that the North American bid to host the 2026 World Cup now seems "afraid" of losing to Morocco. A change in strategy this week gave the leaders of the American, Canadian and Mexican football federations "equal status in a bid that has been heavily favored to win the hosting rights on June 13 in Moscow." Blatter: "They give the impression that they are not any longer very sure that they will win, that's my impression. But I don't know why they are afraid." Last month, Blatter wrote on Twitter that Morocco was the "logical host" of the '26 tournament. However, Blatter "declined to fully endorse Morocco's ability to host a 48-team tournament alone." He said, "I don't know if the Moroccans are able to organize a World Cup of 48" (AP, 3/8).
