FIFA president Sepp Blatter has promised to kick corrupt officials ‘out of the game’ after U.S. prosecutors today laid bare widespread allegations of rampant corruption at football’s governing body.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has promised to kick corrupt officials ‘out of the game’ after U.S. prosecutors today laid bare widespread allegations of rampant corruption at football’s governing body.
Blatter described it as a ‘difficult time for football’ after officials today lined up to detail a case in which they claim to have exposed complex money-laundering schemes, found millions of dollars in untaxed incomes and tens of millions in offshore accounts held by FIFA officials.
In a statement released this evening, Blatter said: ‘This is a difficult time for football, the fans and for FIFA as an organisation. We understand the disappointment that many have expressed and I know that the events of today will impact the way in which many people view us.
‘As unfortunate as these events are, it should be clear that we welcome the actions and the investigations by the U.S. 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.
‘We will continue to work with the relevant authorities and we will work vigorously within FIFA in order to root out any misconduct, to regain your trust and ensure that football worldwide is free from wrongdoing.’
His comments came after U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch claimed that bribery and corruption had dogged football’s world governing body at the highest levels for at least 24 years.
Source: FIFA corruption is ‘rampant, systemic, deep-rooted’ says US attorney
