Fifa’s ethics watchdog has rejected suspended president Sepp Blatter’s claim that he is not subject to its rules and that only Congress can bar him from his role as head of the scandal-plagued global
Fifa’s ethics watchdog has rejected suspended president Sepp Blatter’s claim that he is not subject to its rules and that only Congress can bar him from his role as head of the scandal-plagued global soccer body.
Blatter has been suspended for 90 days along with European soccer boss Michel Platini, engulfed by a deepening corruption scandal as the sport faces criminal investigations in Switzerland and the United States. Fifa’s ethics committee is investigating their conduct and they could face a much longer suspensions when the final verdict in the case is announced, probably in December.
In a Swiss television interview on Wednesday, Blatter compared himself to a head-of-state who could only be removed by parliament. He said that it was up to Fifa’s Congress, consisting of the 209 national football associations who each hold one vote, to oust him.
However, Andreas Bantel, spokesman for the ethics committee, said on Thursday. “The Fifa code of ethics applies to anyone who is involved in football worldwide and there are absolutely no exceptions whatsoever.”
The Fifa corruption scandal broke in May with a police raid and arrests of soccer officials at a Zurich hotel just before a congress of the body.
Blatter has also said that he was the target of “an inquisition” by Fifa’s ethics committee, which has suspended him for 90 days and called for further sanctions over corruption charges. Blatter led Fifa for 17 years untill his suspension in October.
Speaking to the Zurich-based Sportinformation news service, Blatter invoked his faith and portrayed himself as the victim of an attack.
“As a good Christian, I have to say that what the ethics commission is doing with me, it’s like an inquisition,” Blatter said.“It’s not me who has to prove my innocence, I am not a bad man,” he added.
