Football: Blatter in trouble, says Bayern chief

BERLIN: Fifa President Sepp Blatter’s position at the head of world football’s governing body has been further weakened by fresh corruption allegations, insisted Bayern Munich President Uli Hoeness. “The air is getting thinner and thinner for Mr Blatter,” said Hoeness. “I can’t imagine that he could remain in office, let alone stand for president again. At last, people are daring to attack him.” Blatter declared that he had no reason to resign, despite revelations that his predecessor, Joao Havelange, received huge kickbacks during his time in charge of the organisation. A Swiss court revealed that Havelange, Fifa president for a 24-year spell up to Blatter’s election in 1998, pocketed at least £986,000 from Fifa’s discredited Swiss-based marketing partner ISL.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 19^th, 2012.