Sepp Blatter is tired of taking all the heat.
The disgraced FIFA president is now claiming that the leaders of France and Germany, two of Europe’s strongest countries in both the political and football world, put pressure on voters to allocate the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar, respectively.
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Blatter says Nicolas Sarkozy of France and Christian Wulff of Germany influenced voters based on economic interests for their countries.
At the time of the vote in 2010, both were serving as president of their nations. Neither are still in office today.
Blatter, speaking to German newspaper Welt am Sonntag:Before the World Cups were awarded to Russia and Qatar, there were two political interventions. Messrs Sarkozy and Wulff tried to influence their vote-makers.
That is the reason why we now have a World Cup in Qatar. Those who decided this should also take the responsibility.
Just look at all the German companies – the Deutsche Bahn (railways), Hochtief (construction) and many more all already had projects in Qatar before the World Cup was awarded there.
I act on the leadership principle. If a majority of the executive committee wants a World Cup in Qatar then I have to accept that.”
He would go on to dismiss the speculation that he may go against his word and continue to serve as FIFA president, saying he has no intentions of doing so.
Blatter called the whole ordeal a “tsunami,” and it seems like he is just adding to the waves by calling out anyone he can to take some of the focus off of himself.