I’m Proud To Bringing World Cup To Africa – Blatter
Joseph “Sepp” Blatter is a retired Swiss football administrator who was the eighth President of the FIFA from 1998 to 2015. He is currently serving a six-year ban from participating in FIFA activities.
Speaking to newsmen recently, the former FIFA President admitted that his biggest mistake was to bring World Cups to Africa.
It would be recalled that between 2009 and 2010, Africa hosted all the FIFA World Cups. Nigeria hosted the U17 World Cup, Egypt the U20 the biggest of them all, the senior World Cup was hosted by South Africa, and Blatter admitted that the scenario created enemity for him, although he is proud to have made such a mistake.
“I am proud of this mistake, it made me to be hated by anti-Africans, they started to investigate us, they brought up propaganda that blackmailed us.
“Things just escalated when I launched a one goal organization to build African infrastructure, that upsets the western world and this is the only mistake I will always be proud of, he said.
Blatter said he does not see Africa hosting the Fifa World Cup anytime soon due to powerful forces against the idea.
“But where there is a will, there is a way, and therefore we brought this World Cup to Africa, to South Africa. The first time World Cup in Africa and I think for the time being, the only one and I cannot see if there will be a second one. I am happy that it has been realised.”
Blatter and FIFA have often been dogged by controversy and allegations of corruption.His tenure has seen controversy over allegations of financial mismanagement and the acceptance of bribes resulting in Qatar hosting 2022 World Cup.
