Blatter: FIFA will solve problems from inside
Reuters - Wednesday 01 June 2011, 08:11
ZURICH - Beleaguered FIFA president Sepp
Blatter called on his federation's 208 members to help him solve
football governing body's problems without external help as he
opened the annual Congress on Wednesday.
"We know that the FIFA ship is in moving waters, I could
even say in troubled waters but I think this ship must be
brought back on the right route," he said in an opening address.
"I'm the captain of this ship and it is my duty and
responsibility to see we get back on the right route but I can
only do it with you the 208 (national) associations.
"You are the owners of FIFA.
"You are the legislative body but you are the decisive body.
I'm certain you can follow me in the idea that we can settle the
problems in side FIFA either by... strengthening what we already
have."
FIFA has been beset by allegations of corruption and four
executive committee members have been suspended since October.
Chuck Blazer took his place on the executive committee
despite moves to sack him as secretary general of the CONCACAF
federation.
Blazer was the author of a report which led to Jack Warner
and Mohamed Bin Hammam being provisionally suspended on Sunday
amid cash-for-votes allegations.