Corruption investigations ´unfair´, says Blatter

FIFA President Sepp Blatter believes investigations into its executive committee by British newspaper the Sunday Times were unfair.

Football’s world governing body has handed out bans to two senior figures and suspended four more after a corruption enquiry prompted by reports in the British newspaper.

The Sunday Times alleged that officials were willing to accept bribes in exchange for their vote in the forthcoming ballot to decide who will host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

While acknowledging the men were in the wrong, Blatter criticised the methods used in the investigation.

“I’m not pleased about that because this is not very fair but now we have a result it gives us an opportunity to clean a little bit whatever has to be cleaned,” Blatter said of the scandal and its outcome.

“But I cannot say that it is very fair when you open traps to entrap people. But if the objective is to have a clean sheet in football then I can understand it.”

Nigeria’s Amos Adamu has been banned for three years and Reynald Temarii – of the Oceania Football Federation – for one year following the investigation.

Ismael Bhamjee, Amadou Diakite, Ahongalu Fusimalohi and Slim Aloulou have been suspended over breaches in rules governing conduct and for failing to report evidence of misconduct.

“These decisions may not have found total support of all the members of the executive committee, it would be exaggerated to pretend that,” Blatter said.

“But FIFA agrees with the decisions handed down by the ethics committee.”

The continued British media allegations against FIFA have led to speculation that the executive committee may overlook England for the 2018 tournament, but Blatter denies there will be a backlash against the bid.

“Why should this have an influence on the English bid?” Blatter said.

“I don’t think they (the executive committee) will take into consideration what has been published or not.”