World football governing body, FIFA president Sepp Blatter has insisted he has done nothing illegal, saying he plans to remain in the role until February’s elections.
Blatter is under investigation from Swiss authorities over allegations of criminal mismanagement and misappropriation, but in a statement from his lawyer Lorenz Erni, he made it clear that he is not guilty of any wrongdoing.
“President Blatter spoke to FIFA staff today (yesterday) and informed the staff that he was cooperating with the authorities, reiterated that he had done nothing illegal or improper and stated that he would remain as president of Fifa,” it read.
“On the Michel Platini matter, president Blatter on Friday shared with the Swiss authorities the fact that Mr Platini had a valuable employment relationship with FIFA serving as an advisor to the president beginning in 1998.
“He explained to the prosecutors that the payments were valid compensation and nothing more and were properly accounted for within FIFA including the withholding of Social Security contributions.
“Because of the continuing investigation president Blatter will answer no further questions at this time.”
The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) announced on Friday its intention to try him over his dealings with the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) and Uefa chief Michel Platini.
Earlier in September, allegations emerged which suggested Blatter had signed off on selling World Cup broadcasting rights to the CFU – which was run by disgraced former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner – for a fraction of their value.