May 30, 2011, 11:35 am Blatter Defiant During News Conference By THE NEW YORK TIMES
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A video crew outside FIFA headquarters in Zurich waits for news, any news. 1:10 p.m. | Updated Sepp Blatter’s news conference in Zurich, which was scheduled to begin at 12 p.m., Eastern, did not start until 12:35 p.m. What follows is a transcript of the news conference that was streamed live at FIFA.com.
The more than 30-minute session ended contentiously when a FIFA representative cut off questions as journalists in the audience sought to grill Blatter further. Neither side left happy.
The transcript: I’m happy to be with you and also on account of the new actuality I have decided, and especially after this afternoon’s meeting of the executive committee, to be with you alone and not at a dais with other people.
I just want to repeat what I’ve said and through messages given yesterday, the ethics committee has reached its decisions. I have no right to comment on it. I was even myself not in my privileged position. I repeat what I said: I regret what has happened in last days and weeks, it has done great damage to FIFA, but is also a great disappointment, for football fans, I’m speaking to football fans.
Today we had a meeting of the executive committee, I am not giving you a lot of details. Our press department will distribute documents and they will be available. But there have been one or two points that I want to inform you.
The executive committee of FIFA was very pleased to receive the report of the Football Association regarding allegations made on 10 May made by Lord David Triesman at the House of Commons against four executive committee members, and we were happy that we can confirm there are no elements in this report which would even prompt any proceedings. But for the sake of transparency, FIFA and the F.A. agreed that a comprehensive summary of this report would be published and the summary can be read on FIFA.com. I’m happy also that we have not received any evidence from the Sunday Times or from any announced whistleblower with regards to allegations made against two other members of executive committee, therefore the outcome is the same, what shall we do with elements in report? Nothing.
And World Cup 2022 is not touched by that, so is the World Cup 2018.
Concerning the executive committee there is one or other information of importance, Japan will organizing the FIFA Club World Cup in December. We are happy after having been two years in United Arab Emirates, now back to Japan. Violá.
We were in Conmebol and Conacaf, said to executive committee at 50-year anniversary of Concacaf, I offered project elements that will be realized through structure of the Goal project. These two things will be taken over by Goal institution and then will be presented to the executive committee. In light of 50 years of Concacaf, that’s the way it works. [Blatter had been accused of promising $1 million to Concacaf in exchange for the confederation's support of his re-election.]
One important decision, Bosnia has accepted change in statutes, therefore the ban is lifted and Bosnia will be able to play as of June 3 in national and club competitions. We also settled problems with Brunei. And Indonesia can go on playing to June 30.
Now ready to take your questions. I would insist again on the fact that this morning I went to four meetings of four confederations: UEFA, Conmebol, Oceania and Concacaf and invited everyone to show unity and solidarity concerning FIFA’s future.
Q: Last night one of your past allies Jack Warner told me that you should be stopped. Some reaction to statement? A: Stopped? … I have no, reaction.
Q: Everyone knows this is the time for change and reform. What will you do for FIFA in next four years? A: Thank you for your question. Just come back to ideas I’ve developed for the future and exposed to executive committee today. One of these items on the agenda, there is one, zero tolerance. Zero tolerance on the field, and zero tolerance outside the field of play. Means we have to reinforce the ethic committee to professionalize the committee to have professionalism. To look to our image and also need a new communication, a new tool and to have a better understanding with the you, the media, everybody in the media. It’s something we have to do. And more than that what we have to do in the congress to get a unity in solidarity and to look forward for the next four years. It will not be an easy task but together we can do it.
Q: Some governments also asking that election be postponed? How do you feel about that? A: If governments want to intervene in the FIFA organization then there is something wrong. I think FIFA is strong enough to build inside FIFA. I’m sure the congress will show its unity and will solve their problems, if there are any in the congress.
Q: The media today is talking about a crisis in FIFA . Is it a crisis? A: If somebody would describe to me a crisis? What is a crisis. Football is not in a crisis. We have just seen a beautiful Champions League final with Barcelona, with fair play. We are only in some difficulties. And they will be solved inside our family.
Q: Mr. Warner released details of an email from Mr. Valke saying that Qatar bought the World Cup. Can you give your backing to Mr. Valke. Is he becoming too politicized? A: I will not answer this question. I am the president of FIFA, you cannot question me. (There is an outburst in the audience, some rumbling and comments that were inaudible because the speakers did not have microphones.)
In response to the rumblings, Blatter said: I accepted to have a press conference with you alone here. I respect you, please respect me. If you ask for a question ask for the mic. We are not in a bazaar here, we are in FIFA House.
Q: You said a few minutes ago, that for Concacaf you offered two goal projects. Can you do that? A: The FIFA president can do even more, but it has to be approved by the executive committee and the committee approved that. Certainly I can do that.
Q: Now that two members have been suspended pending bribe investigation, can you see why now there are calls to postpone Wednesday election? A: If somebody wants to change something in the election or in the congress … these are the members of FIFA this cannot be done by the executive committee or any authorities outside of FIFA. Only the congress itself can do it with three-quarters of majority, it can change agenda.
Q: How do you feel personally that Mr. Bin Hammam has pulled out of challenge of your presidency and that you are now standing alone? A: You should ask him why he pulled out. Personally, I was prepared to go into an election process with another candidate and then the congress would have decided. Now the situation has changed.
Q: What do you say to those who want a revote for the 2022 World Cup and you if you are a major problem for FIFA, should leave? A: We are only allowing one questions each and that was two questions. Which one do you want me to answer? The second: Again, it is for the congress of FIFA decide if I am a valid or nonvalid candidate.
Q: Do you believe Qatar bid was clean? A: I believe that the decision which we took for World Cup 2022 was done exactly clean in the same pattern and again I say what I said at beginning of press conference: there is no issue for the World Cup 2022.
Q: Is FIFA’s reputation at lowest ever. How did it happen on your watch? A: I tried to have the FIFA reputation at highest possible way. We are in a game, in this game I will tell you there is a lot of gambling and not only on the field of play. Have to say at beginning of FIFA when I entered 36 years ago, we had no problems, until 1998. This was the modest FIFA. Now we are a comfortable FIFA and because we are too comfortable all the little devils can enter the game.
Q: To say that this is the season of long knives in football would be an understatement. How will you be able to sit in meetings of the executive committee and move forward after all that has happened? A: I repeat what said several times. I have not chosen the members of executive committee. They are delegated by their confederations. I have to deal with the personalities that are there and try to do best out of it. Something has changed in FIFA and we will try to change more in future. I cannot change members of my government, it is not up to me.
(More rumbling from the audience.)
Blatter: I have asked for respect, I was respectful to you. …
(Blatter walks off the stage as others try to ask questions. One more is asked.)
Q: This is a press conference, and I thought it is for asking questions. There are so many more people here who want to ask questions. A: I have answered the questions and I thank you for your attendance.
I will not go into discussions with people who like to create problems. I just want to tell you one thing. You can laugh, that’s an attitude. So is respect. I have learned this in my life also as a journalist. I said this is finished. Thank you.
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