Throughout all of his recent controversies, Sepp Blatter has remained confident, but now, the suspended FIFA president appears resigned to his fate.
Blatter admitted that his work with the game is “finished” after being hit with an eight-year suspension over an alleged payment made to Michel Platini in 2011. However, Blatter did state that he will appeal his ban, which he called “unjust.”
“I’ve finished my work in football,” Blatter told the Wall Street Journal. “I lost faith in our organization on May 27 with this intervention by American law enforcement. And the same day it presented FIFA as a mafia-type organization. I spent 40 years at FIFA. It doesn’t bother me to talk about the past, because the past was more brilliant for me than the future.”
Blatter also touched on the process that awarded the World Cup to Qatar, a process the FIFA president has repeatedly said led to his downfall.
“(Platini said), ‘Careful. If we vote for Qatar, the next day everyone will say that FIFA sold itself out’,” Blatter said. “He told me that. And then a week later, he says something changed. Since I’ve been at FIFA, the World Cup has always been allocated on the recommendation — if not more — of governments.”
Here are some more news and notes to kick off your Wednesday morning:
U.S. INVESTORS LOOKING AT EVERTON PURCHASE
With Tim Howard serving as a mainstay in the club’s lineup, Everton has long been a popular club among American followers. Now, it appears that the club’s American influence is about to get even stronger.
According to The Times, a group of investors, including former San Diego Padres owner John J Moores, is eyeing the potential purchase of the English Premier League club. The group has been given a six-week period of exclusivity to look at the club’s financials, while a deal could be valued at $298 million.
Moores and fellow investor Charles Noell were previously linked with a bid for fellow Premier League side Swansea City, while Everton had previously been reported as a target of Sporting KC’s ownership group.
BONY FRUSTRATED BY ROLE WITH MANCHESTER CITY
Wilfried Bony believes he should be doing more as a member of Manchester City.
Following the club’s 2-1 loss to Arsenal, Bony stated his disappointment to see himself relegated to the bench for the crucial clash following the return of Sergio Aguero.
“I’m disappointed that I didn’t start,” Bony said. “I’m not the coach. The coach does what he thinks is best for the team. Everyone on the bench wants to play. He has to choose 11 players. But I think I deserve to be playing.
“Aguero is coming back from injury. He hasn’t played for a couple of weeks. My feeling is that I will discuss this with the manager. I will continue to work hard, prepare very well and then it will depend on the coach who he puts in. When I come on I just try to do my best to try to score or to give an assist to help the team to win.”
Bony has scored eight goals in 20 appearances this season.
QUICK KICKS
Mesut Ozil insists that he is “very happy” with Arsenal, but is not rushing to sign a new contract with the club. (REPORT)
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman says the club will reject any offers for Victor Wanyama and Saido Mane, calling their moves away from the club “impossible.” (REPORT)
Stoke City manager and ex-Manchester United striker Mark Hughes has pegged Ryan Giggs as the Red Devils’ next manager. (REPORT)
Red Star Belgrade have accepted a bid from Liverpool to acquire Marko Grujic. (REPORT)
“With Tim Howard serving as a mainstay in the club’s lineup”
In my opinion Tim is the most frequently criticized player at Everton by fans and announcers alike.
Is he working on his plea deal?
“OK USA I give you the World Cup. Am I free to go now?”
You have to give Blatter credit for his ability to completely ignore the reality and consequences of his actions, that is likely what enabled him to become so successful at FIFA where corruption and delusion are encouraged and required
“Since I’ve been at FIFA, the World Cup has always been allocated on the recommendation — if not more — of governments.”
That’s what a lawyer might call a statement against interest. Isn’t Blatter admitting that political factors, and not technical merit, determine the selection of the World Cup host? It’s all the more galling when you consider that FIFA will suspend a national federation if it perceives any interference by the government in the federation’s affairs (except when the government builds stadiums and changes laws at the federation’s (and FIFA’s) behest).
The owner of the Padres wants to buy Everton? Hasn’t he/they ruined baseball in southern california? What is it with bad owners from US sports wanting to own EPL teams?
First Hicks and the other joker who buy and ruin Liverpool. The Glazers have leveraged Man Utd into Tottenham (4-6 place consistently). Kronke is moderating Arsenal into a consistent 3rd and Champions League place. Fulham is already down in the Championship and not looking like it will return. Sunderland and Aston Villa both look like they will (finally) go down this year.
Our richer (richest) countrymen aren’t doing us any favors abroad.
ruined baseball in s.cal?! the Dodgers and Angels are doing just fine. and the Padres, while not the best on the field, have a brand new stadium in the heart of the Gaslamp District in downtown San Diego. much like the Nats, a nice new stadium has helped spur interest. signing big players like Kemp also can’t be ignored. the Padres certainly need to do more in terms of results, but i’d hardly say the Padres ownership has ruined baseball here.
The ownership isn’t making any of those clubs play poorly.