Blatter heads to Russia for first foreign trip since crisis

Although Qatar’s conduct has attracted greater suspicion, Russia’s bid is also being investigated by the Swiss federal prosecutors. A Senate commerce subcommittee hearing last Wednesday questioned what U.S. football chiefs knew about purported corruption in FIFA.

South Korean power-broker, Chung Mong-joon, is leaning towards running for the FIFA presidency as a replacement for Sepp Blatter, telling the Associated Press (AP) that a non-European leader would help breathe “new wind into footballs worldwide governing body.

When asked about his potential chances, Chung said “there is no such thing as an easy election.”. “I will take my time until next year’s election and speak to them”. The 79-year old president recalled that he was re-elected on May 29 with the support of 130 of his constituencies, but four days later, on June 2, his resignation was put “at the disposal” of the entity due to the pressures received. “He must leave now”, he said.

The set-up of the committee would be like “10 players and a coach”, he added, with one key person – the “coach” – driving the process.

Blatter believes the steps to reform could be his legacy.

“FIFA was not stuck because the president was not moving”, said Blatter, whose successor is due to be elected in February. In particular, Federation Internationale de Football Association will recognise the provisions of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and will make it compulsory for both contractual partners and those within the supply chain to comply with these provisions, it said. It has promised reform many times before and failed dismally, ” said Neil Martinson, Transparency Internationals director of communications.

Chung is expected to formally announce his candidacy overseas next month, following his Gold Cup trip, and will then unveil more concrete pledges and suggestions for reforms, according to the aide. The start was interrupted by British comedian Simon Brodkin.

Blatter halted the press conference after the incident as Brodkin – whose stage name is Lee Nelson – was taken away by security.

Platini has emerged as the front-runner to replace Sepp Blatter in February’s presidential election but he has yet to decide whether he will run.

Brodkin’s prank was a sophisticated parody – and protest – of FIFA’s choice, under Blatter, of Qatar as the host of the 2022 World Cup.