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FIFA chief Blatter convinced he's “clean” and one day will go to heaven

Thursday, July 2nd 2015 - 05:45 UTC
Full article 7 comments
“But if anybody calls me corrupt because FIFA is corrupt, I can only shake my head. Everybody who says something like that should go to jail” said Blatter “But if anybody calls me corrupt because FIFA is corrupt, I can only shake my head. Everybody who says something like that should go to jail” said Blatter
Blatter said he was a religious person: “I own a golden cross that has been blessed by Pope Francis. I believe I will go to heaven one day” Blatter said he was a religious person: “I own a golden cross that has been blessed by Pope Francis. I believe I will go to heaven one day”
However the FIFA chief is not expected to travel to Canada for Sunday's final of the women's World Cup 'for personal reasons' However the FIFA chief is not expected to travel to Canada for Sunday's final of the women's World Cup 'for personal reasons'

Sepp Blatter, president of the world soccer governing body FIFA that is embroiled in corruption investigations, has told a German magazine he has a 'clean and clear' conscience and believes he will “go to heaven one day”.

 US prosecutors have not accused Blatter, 79, of any wrongdoing, but his stewardship of FIFA is under scrutiny, sources familiar with investigations in the United States and Switzerland have said.

Blatter announced on June 2 he would step down as FIFA president after an election that is likely to take place late this year or early next year.

“I have a clean and clear conscience,” the Swiss told German magazine Bunte in an interview published on Wednesday. “Whoever calls me corrupt will have to prove it, but nobody can prove that because I am not corrupt.”

Blatter said he was open to criticism. “But if anybody calls me corrupt because Fifa is corrupt, I can only shake my head. Everybody who says something like that should go to jail.”

He said he was a religious person and that his faith had given him strength during the last weeks.

“I own a golden cross that has been blessed by Pope Francis. I believe I will go to heaven one day,” Blatter said.

A US-based lawyer anticipated on Tuesday Blatter would not travel to Canada for Sunday's final of the women's World Cup for personal reasons. Some lawyers with experience in international criminal cases have said Blatter would be ill-advised to travel after an indictment announced on May 27 by US prosecutors against nine current and former FIFA officials and five sports marketing businessmen.

Top Comments

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  • Skip

    Heaven is about as believable as Blatter's innocent.

    Jul 02nd, 2015 - 07:05 am 0
  • DonMateo

    Yep if Blatter is innocent then why doesnt he get on the plane and go to Canada. Nothing to worry about at all. I think his reason will be he has to take his cat to the vet for a sore tooth.

    Jul 02nd, 2015 - 12:12 pm 0
  • ElaineB

    Has he been in rehab?

    Jul 02nd, 2015 - 01:12 pm 0
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