FIFA’s Blatter says Swiss investigation is ‘outrageous’ and 'good will prevail’

Outgoing FIFA President Sepp Blatter has said a Swiss criminal investigation against him was “not correct” and defended his decision not to step down sooner as head of the world soccer body. Blatter tells German magazine Bunte that: “I am being condemned without there being any evidence for wrongdoing on my part. That is really outrageous.” He has held the presidency of world football’s governing body since 1998 and previously served since 1981 as secretary general. Blatter has come under increasing pressure to quit now amid an escalating corruption scandal that has seen a dozen executives charged by US authorities.

This is just an investigation, not an indictment. I will fight until Feb. 26. For myself. For FIFA. I am convinced that evil will come to light and good will prevail.

Outgoing FIFA President Sepp Blatter

Four days after winning a fifth term, Blatter rocked the world of football in June by saying he would step down in the wake of corruption investigations by U.S. and Swiss authorities. He remains in office ahead of a scheduled February election. He reiterated in the Bunte interview that he had no plans for an immediate resignation, despite coordinated calls by major sponsors last week for such a move.

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