By Andrew Warshaw
April 22 – In his eagerly awaited first book since leaving FIFA, Sepp Blatter has revealed that he was once asked by Switzerland’s foreign ministry to persuade an African leader to quit office in exchange for an ambassadorial role.
The leader in question was Burundi’s Pierre Nkurunziza and the idea was supported by the United States, according to claims in ‘Sepp Blatter: Mission and Passion Football’.
Blatter, who stepped down in February after 18 often tempestuous years as FIFA president, says he was approached by Yves Rossier, the state secretary of the Swiss ministry, to make the offer.
“I proposed to the president, who is a big football fan, in front of witnesses that if it would be an advantage for his country and him, FIFA could deploy him as an ambassador for football in Africa or in the whole world,” Blatter is quoted saying in an interview section of the 300-page book.
Nkurunziza rejected the FIFA role and continues to rule his war-torn nation, having been re-elected in November. “Unfortunately it didn’t work out,” Blatter said.
At a launch party this week, Blatter was quoted as saying: “I am very happy that finally it came out. It shows that football is about more than kicking a ball.”
The Swiss ministry confirmed the story but offered a slightly different version of events. “The intention was to contribute to a peaceful solution in order to prevent the current crisis in Burundi,” the ministry said in a statement, adding that Switzerland “never asked President Nkurunziza not to run for the office of president again.”
Swiss media quoted a Foreign Affairs Department spokesperson as adding: “It is not uncommon to consult non-diplomats, if this can contribute to the solution of a problem due to their experience and particular relationships.”
Blatter’s picture-heavy book covers his 41 years at FIFA and was written by his spokesman Thomas Renggli. It was scheduled for release before the February 26 election to replace the 80-year-old Swiss as FIFA president but was delayed.
Blatter is awaiting an appeal hearing date at the Court of Arbitration for Sport to challenge his current six-year ban from football over the infamous SFr2 million payment made to Michel Platini. He is also the subject of a Swiss criminal investigation into the payment, and for approving the sale of undervalued World Cup television rights for the Caribbean. He denies all wrongdoing.
Explaining for the first time he had decided to remain in Switzerland and avoid possible arrest overseas amid the ongoing investigation into football corruption, Blatter said: “My lawyer said, ‘Please, as long as there are still some things going against you, stay in Switzerland. Switzerland will never deliver you anywhere.’”
In the book, Blatter reveals that former UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino, who succeeded him as FIFA president, once applied for a job in the FIFA legal department. “Without success.”
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