Criticism of Blatter "Unfair," According to FIFA Reform Chief

(ATR) The former IOC director general now heading FIFA’s reform commission thinks Sepp Blatter is receiving undue flack.

Francois Carrard says no evidence exists that the FIFA president was involved in corruption.

"There is something unfair in the way he is treated," said Carrard in an interview with Swiss newspaper La Matin Dimanche. "I say that with complete independence. We are in the process of pillorying him. Unfortunately, it’s always like that when somebody stays too long: the negative side gets noticed.

"This man has been unfairly treated. And if we talk about corruption … I have the whole U.S. proceedings on my table. In the indictment, there is not one word against him. Nothing.

"Today, I am not aware of any indication of corruption against Blatter."

The U.S. Justice Department accused 14 officials, including seven with FIFA ties, of taking bribes of more than $150 million over a period of 24 years.

Carrard was not done talking about the United States as he also remarked on football’s popularity in the country.

"For the U.S., football, soccer, does not have the same weight as baseball, basketball and American football. There, it’s just an ethnic sport for girls in schools."

Carrard was named as the leader of the task force earlier this month. He helped guide the reforms that followed the Salt Lake City bribery scandal and led to a number of ousters from the IOC membership ranks.

Written by Nick Devlin

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