HARARE – In a space of a week, three iconic football figures fell by the wayside, prompting spectators to query the future of world soccer ...
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HARARE – In a space of a week, three iconic football figures fell by the wayside, prompting spectators to query the future of world soccer administration.
Words By Derick Matsengarwodzi
It was a week dotted with debate, as FIFA president Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini were both banned from football related matters for eight years, whilst Jose Mourinho was finally axed as Chelsea manager.
Blatter and Platini have vowed to fight the ruling insisting they are clean from all forms of corruption, a case which was agreed by the FIFA's Ethics Committee. The duo was duly cleared of bribery and corruption allegations.
Blatter and Platini have vowed to fight the ruling insisting they are clean from all forms of corruption, a case which was agreed by the FIFA's Ethics Committee. The duo was duly cleared of bribery and corruption allegations.
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| How FIFA President Dribbled His Way Into Oblivion - Sep Blatter |
On Monday, Football's world governing body's Ethics Committee ruled that both Blatter and his UEFA counterpart Platini had broken FIFA Code of Ethics relating to conflicts of interest, breach of loyalty and gifts.
Blatter, in his usual defiance maintained that he was being treated like a ‘punching ball’ and maintained he was still the FIFA President and ‘a man of principles.’
“I'm really sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I am still somewhere a punching ball. I'm sorry for me for, how I'm tainted in this world of humanitarian qualities.”
At 79, the Swiss national has overseen the administration of FIFA for a while – his stay is rumored to have been a ‘military style’, probably reminiscing his earlier days in the military where he rose to the position of colonel. Blatter is famous for saying, “I forgive but I don’t forget.”
However, to the ordinary spectator this scenario raises a stink, after Jack Warner and his counterparts who worked in tandem with the pair were recently arrested for corruption charges.
Blatter also claimed FIFA's Ethics Committee has no right to go against him and said he would be appealing the ban. So, who shall command him to order then?
“We will go once again to the Appeal Committee. I'm a Swiss citizen. In the Swiss law you wouldn't be suspended for eight years, you will have had to commit something very, very important. I am fighting not for me, but as the elected President of FIFA,” said a defiant Blatter.
Platini further announced he would appeal the ban, saying the FIFA's Ethics Committee is designed to smear his name.
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| Michel Platini |
But who introduced the FIFA Ethics Committee and what role does it play? By denying their findings, are Blatter and Platini not slaying the animal they helped to nurture for the game?
His blame would later shift to America’s influence.
“If we had awarded the World Cup in 2022 to the USA, we would not be here.”
So, for now he agrees there is something more dominant than his presidency. During his reign, on-point answers to reporters' question were rare for Blatter, but for now he sought their clemency.
Blatter worked for the organisation for four decades and served as its president since 1998. He had virtually became a dinosaur within the football administration structures, even gaining unrestricted access to world influential personalities.
His prolonged stay made him believe there was none after him. And borrowing from Arnold Schwarzenegger, he insists. “I’ll be back.” – The Aloe News
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