Fifa’s congress and the election of office bearers would go ahead despite the arrest of several of the organisation’s executives on corruption charges‚ the spokesman for soccer’s governing body‚ Walter de Gregorio‚ has said.
“We go on with the agenda and the election will take place as it was planned‚” he said.
Speaking at a press conference following a dawn raid by Swiss police in which the executives were arrested‚ De Gregorio said: “The World Cup 2018 and 2022 will be played in Russia and Qatar.”
“None of us had the idea that this morning at six o’clock there would be arrests. We were all surprised.”
He said the arrests took place in the hours leading up to the soccer body’s congress because “all the people they were interested to talk to were here at the congress”.
“It was a question of co-ordination. They had to co-ordinate and be as efficient as possible.”
He added: “It is not a nice day‚ but it’s also a good day because the process goes on and we are looking forward to results.
“This is good for Fifa. It’s not good in terms of image reputation. But in terms of everything we did in the last four years‚ it is good.”
He confirmed that Fifa president Sepp Blatter was investigated‚ but not arrested.
Fifa election to continue despite corruption arrests
“We go on with the agenda and the election will take place as it was planned‚” he said.
Speaking at a press conference following a dawn raid by Swiss police in which the executives were arrested‚ De Gregorio said: “The World Cup 2018 and 2022 will be played in Russia and Qatar.”
“None of us had the idea that this morning at six o’clock there would be arrests. We were all surprised.”
He said the arrests took place in the hours leading up to the soccer body’s congress because “all the people they were interested to talk to were here at the congress”.
“It was a question of co-ordination. They had to co-ordinate and be as efficient as possible.”
He added: “It is not a nice day‚ but it’s also a good day because the process goes on and we are looking forward to results.
“This is good for Fifa. It’s not good in terms of image reputation. But in terms of everything we did in the last four years‚ it is good.”
He confirmed that Fifa president Sepp Blatter was investigated‚ but not arrested.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos