November 11- Suspended Fifa president Sepp Blatter, who a few days ago was reported to be suffering from stress, has now been hospitalised for treatment after what has been described as a “small breakdown”.
Blatter, who has led world football’s governing body for 18 years, was provisional suspended for 90 days last month in the wake of the Swiss criminal case investigating financial misconduct at football’s world governing body, part of Fifa’s worst ever corruption scandal.
The BBc reports Blatter, 79, suffered “a nervous shock” but is expected to make a full recovery. He is said by friends to be able to communicate, and is likely to be treated until next Tuesday.
Blatter is reported to be “fully fighting against the ethics committee decision” and has told friends “no committee can put me out of the game” say the BBC though it is understood he may well ultimately be banned for even longer.
Blatter is suspected of “criminal mismanagement or misappropriation” , partly over allegations relating to a “disloyal payment” of 2m Swiss francs (£1.3m) for consultation work to UEFA president Michel Platini, who is also suspended pending a resolution. They both deny any wrongdoing.
Blatter’s chief’s spokesman said the veteran Fifa leader had told him: “My brain and heart are fine, but my body is letting me down.”
Blatter’s lawyers say he is “disappointed” that Fifa’s ethics committee had not followed its own code in allowing him an opportunity to be heard and claim his suspension was based on “a misunderstanding of the actions of the attorney general in Switzerland.”