Fifa’s Sepp Blatter: ‘Football is not in a crisis’

President Sepp Blatter said he regretted the damage done to Fifa’s image amid a flurry of allegations surrounding Qatar’s win.

However, he insisted: “Football is not in a crisis. Football is in some difficulties and they will be solved inside our family.”

Earlier today, Fifa’s Secretary General Jerome Valcke was forced to clarify comments he made in a private email to Vice President Jack Warner.

Mr Warner made public an email that claims FIFA was “bought” when it shocked world football by awarding the 2022 World Cup finals to the Arab state of Qatar.

Qatar 2022 categorically deny any wrongdoing in connection with their winning bid. Qatar bid team

The email, from Mr Valcke stated: “For MBH (Mohamed Bin Hammam), I never understood why he was running. If really he thought he had a chance or just being an extreme way to express how much he does not like anymore JSB (Blatter). OR he thought you can buy Fifa as they bought the WC (World Cup).”

The email, which Mr Valcke admitted sending, provoked a prompt denial from the Qatar bid team, which said it was taking legal advice.

The Big Sponsors need to wake up to football's 'Fifa Spring'
Watching Sepp Blatter's press conference I was constantly reminded of the video appearances of various Arab dictators on the cusp of losing their power, writes Faisal Islam. Defiance, anger, finger jabbing. A coded warning for Governments not to interfere. 
There was even a spot of Callaghan thrown in for good measure: "Crisis? what Crisis?"...
Read more: The Big Sponsors need to wake up to football's 'Fifa Spring'

The Qatar bid team said in a statement: “Qatar 2022 categorically deny any wrongdoing in connection with their winning bid. We are urgently seeking clarification from Fifa about the statement from their general secretary.”

Mr Valcke was forced to clarify his emailed comments.

“When I refer to the 2022 Fifa World Cup in that email, what I wanted to say is that the winning bid used their financial strength to lobby for support.

“They were a candidate with a very important budget and have used it to heavily promote their bid all around the world in a very efficient manner.

What I wanted to say is that the winning bid used their financial strength to lobby for support. Jerome Valcke

“I have at no time made, or was intending to make, any reference to any purchase of votes or similar unethical behaviour.”

Meanwhile, Mr Blatter told reporters at a press conference: “There is no issue with the World Cup 2022”.

Mr Valcke also denied claims made by Mr Warner and his fellow executive committee member Mohamed Bin Hammam that he had had any influence on the ethics committee which suspended them from all football-related activity until at least July on Sunday.

“It is fully incorrect – and quite disappointing – to say that I have an influence on the Fifa ethics committee and its proceedings,” he said.

Fifa’s ethics committee decided on Sunday there was a case to answer by Mr Warner and Bin Hammam over allegations that the Qatari paid Caribbean delegates $40,000 each to vote for him in the election.

Mr Hammam announced on Monday he would appeal against his provisional suspension while dismissing claims that Qatar had bought the World Cup.
The row comes as Mr Blatter heads unopposed to re-election this Wednesday.