I�m clean and FIFA isn�t corrupt says Blatter

AFP, LONDON: Sepp Blatter defended FIFA’s battered reputation on Monday as the outgoing president insisted he is clean and there is no systemic corruption at world football’s governing body.
Blatter will officially step down in February amid two criminal investigations into the allegations of bribery and corruption at FIFA.
Seven FIFA officials, including the now suspended vice president and executive committee member, Jeffrey Webb, were among 14 people accused by the US justice department in May of taking bribes of more than $150 million (129 million euros).
The bids for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, controversially awarded by FIFA to Russia and Qatar respectively, are also being probed by authorities in the United States and Switzerland.
Blatter, who has been FIFA president since 1998, was elected for a fifth term in May, but then shocked football by standing down as the corruption scandal intensified.
But the 79-year-old Swiss remains adamant he has done nothing wrong, claiming FIFA had been dragged down by the actions of rogue individuals.
“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,” Blatter told the BBC.
“I did it because I wanted to protect FIFA. I can protect myself. I am strong enough.”
Asked if FIFA had corruption at its core, Blatter said: “That’s not true. This has been created.

I�m clean and FIFA isn�t corrupt says Blatter

AFP, LONDON: Sepp Blatter defended FIFAs battered reputation on Monday as the outgoing president insisted he is clean and there is no systemic corruption at world footballs governing body. Blatter will officially step down in February amid two criminal investigations into the allegations of bribery and corruption at FIFA. Seven FIFA officials, including the now suspended vice president and executive committee member, Jeffrey Webb, were among 14 people accused by the US justice department in May of taking bribes of more than $150 million (129 million euros). The bids for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, controversially awarded by FIFA to Russia and Qatar respectively, are also being probed by authorities in the United States and Switzerland. Blatter, who has been FIFA president since 1998, was elected for a fifth term in May, but then shocked football by standing down as the corruption scandal intensified. But the 79-year-old Swiss remains adamant he has done nothing wrong, claiming FIFA had been dragged down by the actions of rogue individuals. I know what I have done, what I have not done, I have my conscience and I know Im an honest man. I am clean. I am not a worried man, Blatter told the BBC. I did it because I wanted to protect FIFA. I can protect myself. I am strong enough. Asked if FIFA had corruption at its core, Blatter said: Thats not true. This has been created.