No mention of crisis as Blatter opens FIFA Congress

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - FIFA president Sepp Blatter made no reference to the various crises surrounding world soccer's governing body when he opened the annual FIFA Congress on Tuesday with a short welcoming speech to delegates from 209 countries.





The 78-year-old Swiss made no mention of the allegations and investigation into corruption surrounding the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups or his own plans regarding standing for a fifth term as president next year.

Instead, he called on delegates to "enjoy themselves" during the short opening session which featured Brazilian musical acts and a series of awards to various personalities.

In the past Blatter's opening remarks at the albeit "party" session of Congress have contained some references to current issues, but he made no mention of them on Tuesday.

Blatter will have a totally different approach when the serious business gets underway on Wednesday and he makes his annual address to delegates and when Michael Garcia, the New York attorney investigating the corruption allegations surrounding the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup finals to Russia and Qatar, also addresses delegates.

Blatter said FIFA was pleased to be hosting the World Cup in Brazil for the first time since 1950.

"We are in festive mood," he said despite delegates from UEFA, Europe's governing soccer body, calling earlier on Tuesday for him not to seek another term when his mandate ends next year.

He said that more than 400 million fans around the world are expected to watch the 64 World Cup matches on TV over the next month and that everyone was looking forward to a "great World Cup played in a spirit of fair play."

He added: "A spirit of fair play shall prevail. Thousands and thousands of fans from around the world are coming to Brazil, testimony to this fiesta.

"It is the World Cup for the world. Brazil will send emotions that we need in this perturbed world and during the 32 days of the World Cup it is our wish that all belligerent activities should stop, connecting people and constructing bridges."





(Reporting by Mike Collett; Editing by Ken Ferris)


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: Reuters


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world