JOHANNESBURG, May 21, (AFP): FIFA president Sepp Blatter was endorsed by four African regional football federations Saturday for re-election as chief of the world football body ahead of the crucial June 1 vote in Zurich.
UNIFAC (central region) president Mahomed Iya read a declaration of support for Blatter, who is in the country to meet African football bosses to discuss the legacy of Africa’s first FIFA World Cup in 2010.
“The national associations from various regions in Africa namely COSAFA (south), CECAFA (east), WAFU (west) and UNICAF (central) gathered in Johannesburg ... declare full support for the re-election of Sepp Blatter to further serve another term as from the 1st of June,” said Iya after the meeting.
Blatter, who had told journalists that he was not on the continent seeking votes, said he was confident of re-election.
“I am confident especially after the support from the associations assembled here,” he said before the declaration of support was read.
Blatter said the 2010 World Cup had more than doubled FIFA’s $70 million investment to record a $144 million return on investment.
Some of the profit would go to a fund to be used by associations for the development of the sport, he said.
The heads of African federation showered Blatter with praise for bringing the World Cup to Africa, saying the event played a big role in improving negative perceptions about the continent.
“The benefits of the World Cup have filtered down to federations around the continent. We are seeing improved resources, which will help develop football talent,” said CECAFA president Leodegar Tenga.
The 75-year-old Swiss is slugging it out with Qatari billionaire Mohamed bin Hammam, 13 years his junior, for the right to rule the international football kingdom over the coming four years.
There are 53 African votes up for grabs and many international observers believe the continent could hold the key to a race Blatter believes he “cannot lose” and Hammam rates a “50-50” duel.
Meanwhile, FIFA is yet to receive evidence of corruption during the World Cup bidding process from English officials, Blatter said.
“There is no evidence,” the head of world football’s governing body said during a visit to South Africa. “We have asked for evidence.”
The former chairman of England’s Football Association, David Triesman, claimed last week that four FIFA executive committee members engaged in improper conduct during bidding for the 2018 World Cup.
Blatter also said that an unnamed whistleblower who told a British newspaper that two African voters were paid $1.5 million bribes will be interviewed by FIFA on Wednesday.
Triesman made the allegations at a British parliamentary inquiry, where it was also alleged that two FIFA executives were paid to vote for Qatar’s successful 2022 bid.
The FA agreed to send its evidence to FIFA while also conducting its own inquiry in the 2018 bidding contest that was won by Russia.
Both organizations plan to release their findings next week ahead of the June 1 FIFA presidential election when the 75-year-old Blatter is being challenged by Mohamed bin Hammam.
Triesman told British lawmakers that FIFA executive committee members Jack Warner, Nicolas Leoz, Ricardo Teixeira and Worawi Makudi engaged in “improper and unethical” conduct by demanding bribes. All four have denied the claims.
“The evidences of Lord Triesman, we haven’t received them so far,” Blatter said. “We have asked the English Football Association to help us ... but for the time being, nothing.”
The claims about Qatar’s bid emerged in previously unpublished evidence presented to the British hearing by The Sunday Times newspaper, which conducted an undercover investigation into FIFA before the World Cup vote in December.
Executive committee members Issa Hayatou and Jacques Anouma were paid to vote for Qatar, the paper said it was told by a former bid worker.
“This famous whistleblower will be in FIFA on Wednesday and he will tell us whether there is something or not,” Blatter said.
In Johannesburg, Blatter launched a robust defense of FIFA following a meeting with leaders of four of Africa’s five regional football federations. The bodies declared their support for 13-year incumbent Blatter in his bid to be elected to a fourth term as president.
“I do not accept it when somebody in this room says that FIFA is a corrupt organization. I do not accept that,” Blatter said, raising his voice and hammering his fist on a table for emphasis. “FIFA is not a corrupt organization.
“If there are some people, they are under investigation in corruption and if there is no proven evidence then it is not corruption,” he said.
Quizzed on his short-notice visit to South Africa, which was billed as a chance to discuss the legacy of last year’s World Cup, Blatter said: “To be honest, I am not campaigning.”
“I came here as the president of FIFA on the initiative of COSAFA (the Council of Southern African Football Associations) and the football association of South Africa,” he added. “Naturally it will be linked to elections that will take place one week in Zurich.
“I have received a lot of, let’s say, compliments. Compliments enough to win the election? I don’t know.”