Sepp Blatter Criticizes FBI Investigation, Discusses Reelection in Interview

FIFA president Sepp Blatter is striking back at United States authorities and those who called for his resignation in the wake of the organization's corruption crisis this week after being reelected to a fifth term on Friday.

The Guardian passed along comments Blatter made during an interview with Swiss television outlet RTS. He believes the timing of the arrests in Zurich were intentionally set during the final lead-up to the high-profile election.

"No one is going to tell me that it was a simple coincidence, this American attack two days before the elections of FIFA. It doesn't smell good," Blatter said. "Why would I step down? That would mean I recognize that I did wrong. I fought for the last three or four years against all the corruption."

The longtime president also said he was "shocked" by the claims being made by American authorities, which had stated corruption within football was "rampant, systemic and deep-rooted."

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UEFA president Michel Platini was one of the notable individuals to seek Blatter's resignation or the election of opponent Prince Ali bin al-Hussein. In turn, the European group was also in the FIFA leader's cross hairs during the RTS interview.

"It is a hate that comes not just from a person at UEFA," Blatter said. "It comes from the UEFA organization that cannot understand that in 1998 I became president."

He went on to state he would forgive those who came out against him but added: "I forgive everyone, but I do not forget."

There was uncertainty about how Blatter would react with his back against the wall. Seemingly emboldened by his reelection on Friday, he clearly isn't prepared to back down and doesn't sound like somebody with resignation on the mind.

No charges have been brought against Blatter at this time. The organization he leads remains in a state of chaos, however, with serious need for a stabilization process in the near future.