Vladimir Putin says Sepp Blatter deserves Nobel Peace Prize
Thursday 17 December 2015 13:49, UK
Russian president Vladimir Putin has claimed suspended FIFA president Sepp Blatter deserves to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Blatter is under criminal investigation in Switzerland over a £1.35m payment made to Michel Platini in 2011 and could also face a lifetime ban if found guilty by FIFA's ethics committee.
But Putin believes the 76-year-old Swiss deserves to be recognised for his contribution to world football.
Speaking in Moscow, Putin said: "Sepp Blatter is a very reputable person who has contributed greatly to the development of modern football. His contribution to the global humanitarian field is enormous.
"He has always tried to use football, not just for sport, but as a tool for fostering cooperation between people.
"He has done a lot to develop world football. We should give him the Nobel Peace Prize."
He was suspended for 90 days following charges over the payment to UEFA president Platini, who also denies any wrongdoing.
Putin added there were Western "machinations" behind the inquiry into FIFA corruption, launched after a US probe in which seven FIFA officials were detained in Zurich in May.
The Kremlin said at the time the arrests were a bid to influence the re-election of Blatter.
"No country can or has the right to extend its jurisdiction to other states, even more so to international organisation," Putin added.
Putin also insisted the Russians had not colluded to win the right to host the 2018 World Cup, stating that Moscow's bid had been "absolutely fair".
