By Andrew Warshaw in Doha
January 6 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter today denounced what he described as the “envy and jealousy” of the organisation’s critics following arguably the toughest few weeks of his Presidency.
Blatter, who is standing for re-election this year, has come under intense pressure in recent weeks following the simultaneous ballots for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups – won by Russia and Qatar respectively – and the corruption scandal that overshadowed the entire process.
Speaking at the 46-nation Asian Football Confederation Congress in Doha, Blatter insisted FIFA had not lost its way despite two Executive Committee members being suspended and banned from voting on December 2 and the string of bribery and collusion allegations that continue to rumble on.
“In 2010 we had some milestones in the history of football, starting with the first World Cup on the African continent, and what a success,” he said in his address.
“Then we had the women’s Under-17 World Cup which had its first Asian champions – South Korea – and then the decision of FIFA’s Executive Committee to go to new destinations in 2018 and 2022.
“All these successes have created a lot of envy and jealousy in our world because you cannot satisfy everybody.”
Blatter, who as so often chose a subject that is highly sensitive in the part of the world where he happened to be speaking, appeared to be specifically directing his comments at those who have objected to Qatar’s landslide 2022 victory.
He added that FIFA, as an organisation, was strong enough to fend off any criticism but might just as easily have been talking about himself.
“The success story of FIFA can continue because we are in a comfortable situation, despite the criticism given to FIFA,” he said.
“We have the power and the instruments to go against any attacks that are made.”
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