Ever
since he assumed presidency in FIFA almost two decades ago, Sepp
Blatter has been bombarded with accusations of corruption. This
includes the anomalous granting of hosting rights of World Cup to
South Africa (2010) and very recently, to Russia (2018) and Qatar
(2022). The Swedish football official has already expressed intention
to step out of his post next year. He said he will remain as
organization's chief until an extraordinary FIFA Congress is held for
his successor to be elected.
Although
the accusations are strong, Blatter insists there is no corruption in
the world's football governing body.
"That's
not true, this has been created. The institution is not corrupt –
there is no corruption in football," he said in a lengthy
interview with BBC Sport. "There is corruption with individuals,
there is not a general organized corruption.”
"It
is with people, the institution FIFA is not corrupt. It's not the
institution, that's why I can't understand why the world's media say
FIFA is corrupt."
Blatter
also explained why he is retiring. He said it is something he wants
to do to be able to protect FIFA.
"I
did it because I wanted to protect FIFA. I can protect myself. I am
strong enough.
"I
know what I have done, what I have not done, I have my conscience and
I know I'm an honest man. I am clean. I am not a worried man."
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