Blatter labels eight-year FIFA ban as 'unjust'
Outgoing FIFA president Sepp Blatter reaffirmed his denial of bribery allegations and says the reasons given for his suspension are untrue.
Sepp Blatter does not feel justice has been done after receiving an eight-year suspension by FIFA's Independent Ethics Committee on Monday.
The outgoing president and vice-president Michel Platini were handed provisional 90-day bans in October after a payment of two million Swiss francs made by FIFA to the Frenchman, authorised by Blatter, in 2011 – reportedly for consultancy work – formed part of a criminal investigation.
The pair's assertions of an oral agreement as the basis for the deal were labelled "not convincing" by the Ethics Committee, which determined they had breached rules on offering and accepting gifts and other benefits and subsequently imposed eight-year bans.
Blatter has already confirmed he will appeal the decision, which he called unjust, and remains adamant he has never been involved in bribery.
"By saying it's a bribe is totally wrong… never in my life would I offer money to get something," he told Sky News.
"It is wrong, it is not justice. Saying I have bribed someone is absolutely wrong as it's against my conscience, my heart, my will, my soul. I cannot accept that because it's not true and what is not true cannot be proven.
"I am not so sure [if I will preside over the February elections] because it depends how long it takes to get past these hurdles."
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
Blatter was admitted to hospital in November with a stress-related illness and claimed he nearly died as a result of the scandal.
"I was nearby [to death]," he continued.
"It was because my health could not resist it and one day I collapsed. It was the whole situation that produced that."
How to watch Manchester City vs Arsenal: Live streams for WSL match
‘Arsenal’s Class of ’83 would give Man United’s Class of ’92 more than a good game – It’s a scandal that youth team isn’t talked about enough, if at all’: Martin Keown believes the Gunners team he grew up with doesn't get anywhere near enough credit