Blatter opens FIFA congress, calls for ‘integrity’
Print Edition
FIFA leader Sepp Blatter called yesterday for “integrity” as he opened the football governing body’s congress and geared up for a controversial bid for a fresh term as president.
Blatter said the organization must move forward in a changing world in which football had become a “multi-billion dollar” industry with “powerful opportunities”.
“Our world is changing, our game is changing. Our organization must also change. It is our duty to keep football going forward,” Blatter told hundreds of delegates gathered in Sao Paulo a day before the World Cup gets under way today.
“It is our duty to lead by example and behave like an example, with integrity.”
The build-up to the congress has been marred by allegations that millions of dollars in bribes were paid to help Qatar secure the 2022 World Cup.
Blatter set out his “vision” for FIFA in a 22-minute speech but did not confirm his long-mooted intention to stand for a fourth term. He is due to address the congress again later.
“My vision for FIFA in this changing world is this: We must become one of today’s pioneers of hope... we must carry the flame of honesty and responsibility and also respect,” he said.
The veteran Swiss also hailed FIFA’s large growth and said delegates must be “pioneers of hope”.
“There is much to be proud of, but we must now push on and take football into a new era.”
The 78-year-old has become a controversial figure after a series of scandals surrounding the body which oversees a multi-billion dollar industry.
Britain’s Sunday Times has published a series of reports alleging that millions of dollars in bribes were paid to help Qatar secure hosting rights for the 2022 World Cup.
FIFA’s chief investigator Michael Garcia is due to submit a report into the conduct of the bidding process.
On Tuesday, European delegates urged Blatter — who said the claims about Qatar were motivated by racism — to live up to his earlier promises to stand down when his current term expires next year.
“Mr Blatter, this is nothing personal but... I do not think you are the man for the job any longer,” said Dutch football president Michael van Praag.
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