Sepp Blatter said he will “forgive but not forget” those who voted against him in the FIFA Presidential race.
The controversial figure won the election for his fifth consecutive term yesterday, securing 133 votes to Prince Ali Bin al-Hussein of Jordan’s 72, despite the arrest of several high-profile figures in his establishment.
Today Blatter held his first Press conference since the decision and gave a stark warning to both UEFA and the USA.
Sepp Blatter said he will “forgive but not forget” those who voted against him in the FIFA Presidential race.
The controversial figure won the election for his fifth consecutive term yesterday, securing 133 votes to Prince Ali Bin al-Hussein of Jordan’s 72, despite the arrest of several high-profile figures in his establishment.
Today Blatter held his first Press conference since the decision and gave a stark warning to both UEFA and the USA.
“I’ll take responsibility with the storm, but I will share it with the executive committee because it’s the government that has to take responsibility,” said the 79-year-old.
“We will take our boat back into calmer water and take the FIFA ship into tranquillity and happiness.
“I forgive, but I do not forget. I am the President of everybody and these associations that have been against me.
“They will have no impact (on bids for the 2026 World Cup), in my view. When it comes to personal attacks, I say yes, I was affected.
“I am here as President of FIFA. I will continue my work, I will continue to fight for good things and, as I said, it is now my duty to live up to a lot of responsibilities.
“But I am not alone. The executive committee has said it is with me. Why did I not resign? It is very easy, you have seen the results of the Congress and they think I am still the man to solve these problems.”
England FA Vice-Chairman David Gill announced he will reject any position on the Executive Committee as long as Blatter is the President.
Asked about this, Blatter insisted there had been no official word from Gill and he had “written no excuse for his absence.
“You can’t take responsibility when you are elected and don’t come to the first meeting.”
The questions were inevitably all about the potential for the FBI and Swiss investigations to spread. He was even asked: ‘Are you worried you’ll be arrested?’
“Arrested for what? The Americans are making investigations. They have the right to do so. I have no concerns and I especially have no concerns about my person.”
Blatter also implied there was a US conspiracy aimed at disrupting the FIFA Congressional meeting in Zurich.
“All these events culminating in the police storming a hotel and curiously there were already three American journalists at the location…”
Fears of sponsors running away from FIFA after this scandal, especially Nike who were indirectly named by the FBI as part of the investigation, were also shrugged off.
“We have already had contact with the sponsors. I am sure I will bring them all back with a personal visit to them.”
Meanwhile, Blatter confirmed there would be no change to the allocation of places from each Confederation into the World Cup after plans to give an extra space to Oceania.
“Some were more grumpy than others” at the news in the Executive Committee.