by the rules and it was the FA who received the brunt of
Blatter’s criticism. The FIFA President did allow for a
sideswipe at David Gill, in Frankfurt yesterday he said:
BLATTER HUFFS AND PUFFS
by the rules and it was the FA who received the brunt of
Blatter’s criticism. The FIFA President did allow for a
sideswipe at David Gill, in Frankfurt yesterday he said:
“Perhaps he does not have a very clean conscience and that's
why he reacted so aggressively. It is fair play for me to
accept criticism but I know how I would react if I was a
chief executive officer of a club and saw a FIFA president
trying to bring respect and discipline to the game.”
why he reacted so aggressively. It is fair play for me to
accept criticism but I know how I would react if I was a
chief executive officer of a club and saw a FIFA president
trying to bring respect and discipline to the game.”
But he reserved his main displeasure for the FA and its
disciplinary system:
disciplinary system:
“I have spoken to [FA chairman] Geoff Thompson and said such
cases must be dealt with immediately. I have also heard the
case of the player [Joe] Cole who committed some infraction
in May and has only been sanctioned now. These cases must be
dealt with immediately not pushed back to tomorrow, the day
after or whenever. They should be dealt with inside one
week.”
cases must be dealt with immediately. I have also heard the
case of the player [Joe] Cole who committed some infraction
in May and has only been sanctioned now. These cases must be
dealt with immediately not pushed back to tomorrow, the day
after or whenever. They should be dealt with inside one
week.”
However Sepp did hint that he may step in should Ferdinand
be banned, and we may well see FIFA extend any such
punishment:
be banned, and we may well see FIFA extend any such
punishment:
“I cannot presume what the FA will do but the case will have
to be submitted for appreciation by FIFA's special committee
for doping issues, then we will see. Football should
remember respect and discipline is necessary at all levels
from clubs up to confederations. The executive committee
have given me a mandate jointly with our disciplinary
committee today to be stricter than before, and to act.
to be submitted for appreciation by FIFA's special committee
for doping issues, then we will see. Football should
remember respect and discipline is necessary at all levels
from clubs up to confederations. The executive committee
have given me a mandate jointly with our disciplinary
committee today to be stricter than before, and to act.
“Otherwise we run the risk of seeing football lose its way
or at least go in a different direction that is not in
keeping with our objectives - as a game and as a value in
life.”
or at least go in a different direction that is not in
keeping with our objectives - as a game and as a value in
life.”
Blatter also voiced his disapproval of G14:
“I have a problem with G14. They are richest clubs, but I
will not speak to them any longer. I will speak to clubs
through the national associations, and we will discuss about
insurance for players on international duty.”
will not speak to them any longer. I will speak to clubs
through the national associations, and we will discuss about
insurance for players on international duty.”
Blatter brushed aside G14's threat to go to the European
Court, asking:
Court, asking:
“What is the European court in football? We have our own
system, because we are completely international.”
system, because we are completely international.”