AMID the scandal in Fifa, Sepp Blatter deserves praise and even the Nobel prize, says Russia’s president Vladimir Putin.
In an interview aired by the Swiss broadcaster RTS, Putin praised Blatter’s leadership in Fifa and said he doesn’t believe the corruption allegations.
Blatter announced he will step down as president amid allegations of corruption in Fifa, although he will stay as chief of the world federations until next year.
The World Cup 2018 is set in Russia.
“We all know the situation developing around Mr Blatter right now. I don’t want to go into details but I don’t believe a word about him being involved in corruption personally,” was quoted as saying by theguardian.com.
[See Sepp Blatter showed in fake money by British comedian during Fifa news conference]
“I think people like Mr Blatter or the heads of big international sporting federations, or the Olympic Games, deserve special recognition. If there is anyone who deserves the Nobel prize, it’s those people.”
[See Russia plans to use prison labor for 2018 World Cup to drive down costs]
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