Blatter: There is no corruption in football

In an interview with Swiss newspaper La Matin Dimanche, Carrard, former director general of the global Olympic Committee, said criticism of Blatter was more to do with him having been at the helm of the sport’s ruling body for 17 years. US and Swiss prosecutors are examining whether there were irregularities in the awarding of the rights to hold the 2018 World Cup in Russian Federation and the 2022 tournament in Qatar. This man is being treated unfairly.

And the interview looks quite coordinated with the conversation Blatter had with the BBC, one which was released on Monday and saw the defiant Federation Internationale de Football Association president claiming the organization would come out of an investigation in a positive light.

“I know what I have done, what I have not done, I have my conscience and I know I’m an honest man”, said Blatter, FIFA’s president since 1998. And if we talk about corruption … I have the whole U.S. proceedings on my table.

“The problem with Federation Internationale de Football Association is the composition of the executive committee”, he added. I say that with complete independence.

Carrard, however, doubled down on his defense of Blatter saying, “We are in the process of pillorying him. Nothing. Today I am not aware of any indication of corruption against Blatter”, he said.

While Blatter was not among those arrested, nor was he one of the 14 officials indicted by the Justice Department on charges of bribery, racketeering, money laundering and wire fraud, the ripples of the scandals inched ever closer two Blatter as two of his vice presidents were among those charged. “Unfortunately, it’s always like that when somebody stays too long, the negative side gets noticed”, said the 77-year-old Carrard.

The 79-year-old was elected for a fifth term in May but chose to announce he would not continue in his role soon after.

It shows a lot of contrition and foresight to use gender jabs to fight a battle against the U.S. Keep doing you, FIFA.