Moscow – Russian President Vladimir Putin, has said that FIFA President Sepp Blatter should be considered for a Nobel Prize for bringing countries together with international football.
Blatter, FIFA’s president for over 15 years, said he would step down last month amid corruption scandals but had continued to serve as the association’s acting head.
Speaking to newsmen from Blatter’s native Switzerland, Putin said he did not believe one word about corruption connected with Blatter personally.
“Such people like Mr Blatter and other heads of major international sporting federations and Olympic committees; these people deserve special attention and gratitude from social organisations.
“The Nobel prize should be given to such people because they improve the mechanisms of collaboration between countries.
“They also made a huge humanitarian contribution to the development of international relations between people and governments,’’ he added.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
Putin alleged that a U.S. investigation into high-ranking FIFA officials could stem from the U.S. and its close ally Britain being denied the right to host the FIFA World Cup in 2022 and 2018, respectively.
Russia will host the World Cup in 2018. (dpa/NAN)