FIFA is not corrupt - Sepp Blatter

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has refuted the claim following the allegation of Corruption in FIFA organisation.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter says the organisation is not corrupt and that he protected the sport's governing body by stepping down from his position.

Sepp Blatter has served as FIFA president since 1998, but his tenure has been marred by repeated allegations of corruption prior to the arrests of FIFA officialS.

The Swiss was re-elected president, but announced his intention to relinquish his mandate as president in June 2 less than a week after nine FIFA officials were indicted on charges on racketeering conspiracy and corruption.

Sepp Blatter,s replacement will be elected at an Extraordinary Congress in Febuary and the current incumbent was unambiguous in his response to suggestion that FIFA have been tarnished due to recent allegation.

"That's not true, this has been created. The institution is not corrupt – there is no corruption in football," he told BBC Sport.

"There is corruption with individuals, there is not a general organised corruption.

"It is with people, the institution FIFA is not corrupt. It's not the institution, that's why I can't understand why the world's media say FIFA is corrupt."

Blatter also explained his reason for stepping down, adding 'i did it because i wanted to protect FIFA'

"I can protect myself. I am strong enough.

"I know what I have done, what I have not done, I have my conscience and I know I'm an honest man. I am clean. I am not a worried man."

Comedian throws money at Blatter in stunt

Sepp Blatter's media conference was delayed on Monday as a British comedian threw bank notes at the outgoing FIFA president as he took to the stage.

Blatter was facing the media in Zurich, following Monday's confirmation that an election to appoint his successor will take place on February 26, 2016.

But the news conference was held up in bizarre fashion as British comedian Simon Brodkin - who often uses the stage name Lee Nelson - approached the stage and threw money at Blatter.

Brodkin - whose previous stunts have seen him gatecrash an England photoshoot and Manchester City's pre-match warm-up during a Premier League game - was later photographed in a police van, having been escorted from the stage by security.

Blatter announced his intention to resign in June four days after winning a fifth term as president and six days after 14 people, including nine FIFA officials, were indicted on charges of racketeering conspiracy and corruption.

The Swiss has not been charged with any wrongdoing.

Responding to the incident when the conference eventually started, Blatter said: "I'm sorry what just happened. I just called my late mother and she said 'don't worry it's just a lack of education'."

US senators want Russia removed as 2018 World Cup host

A group of US senators is asking FIFA to strip Russia of hosting the 2018 World Cup.

The bipartisan letter, dated March 31, was signed by 13 senators, including Robert Menendez, New Jersey Democrat, and Ron Johnson, Wisconsin Republican, and cites the Ukraine crisis as a reason to bar Russia from staging the global showpiece.

The letter was sent to FIFA boss Sepp Blatter, with a copy also forwarded to the US Soccer Federation.

"With the goal of ending the crisis in Ukraine and ensuring a successful 2018 World Cup, we strongly encourage FIFA to deny the [Russian President Vladimir] Putin regime the privilege of hosting the 2018 World Cup and make preparations for an alternate host country," the senators wrote in a statement widely released to media outlets on Wednesday.

Former Republican presidential candidate John McCain of Arizona, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, also signed the letter.

FIFA presidency candidates slam Sepp Blatter for debate rebuff

Sepp Blatter's decision to turn down a televised debate with fellow candidates for the FIFA presidency has come in for criticism.

The FIFA election will take place on May 29, with Sky and BBC offering to televise Blatter up against his rivals - only for the Swiss, who is seeking a fifth consecutive term, to turn it down.

Among those contesting for the presidency are Luis Figo, Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein and Michael van Praag.

Figo, of Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter fame, said he wanted to air his ideas in a public forum.

"I think it is a pity. We owe it to the fans of football to hold this debate with all four candidates," the former Portugal international said of Blatter's decision.

"It would have been good for all FIFA Member Associations and for the fans of football to hold this debate with all four candidates, but I will nevertheless continue to promote my ideas, which are in favour of reform, transparency and, first and foremost, for football.

"I respect all candidates and their proposals and their freedom to decide even if I do not agree with some of them."

Prince Ali said he felt the broadcasters should have seen their idea met with more enthusiasm from 79-year-old Blatter.

"I believe that this election campaign is an opportunity for an open and mature debate about the future direction of FIFA and all four candidates have a responsibility to football to engage in this debate," the vice-president for FIFA in Asia said.

"The broadcasters' initiative is a good one and should be supported."