Sepp Blatter Slams 'Outrageous' Criminal Investigation, Won't Hasten FIFA Exit

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has branded a criminal investigation into his activities as “outrageous,” insisting there is no evidence to link him to any wrongdoing.

The Swiss authorities opened proceedings against the 79-year-old last month over an alleged payment of two million Swiss francs (£1.35 million) made to UEFA President Michel Platini in 2011. But speaking with German magazine Bunte (h/t Reuters), Blatter was adamant he’d done nothing wrong and would be staying in power until February:

"

The situation is not pleasant. I am being condemned without there being any evidence for wrongdoing on my part. That is really outrageous.

This is just an investigation, not an indictment. I will fight until Feb. 26. For myself. For FIFA. I am convinced that evil will come to light and good will prevail.

"

Michael Probst/Associated Press

Blatter is set to step down as FIFA President in 2016 despite recent calls from the organisation’s key sponsors such as Coca-Cola, Visa, Budweiser and McDonald’s for him to resign with immediate effect. Blatter responded by claiming resigning "would not be in the best interest of FIFA, nor would it advance the process of reform."

As noted by Rob Harris of the Press Association, despite the storm brewing, Blatter is continuing to carry out his duties as FIFA chief:

The longstanding FIFA boss confirmed his intentions to eventually step down just four days on from being reelected for a fifth term, with a corruption scandal engulfing the organisation on the eve of its congress.

Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images

While Blatter was not individually implicated in the May corruption arrests made on the back of investigations from the US and Swiss authorities, the recent proceedings undertaken by the Swiss attorney general are looking at the FIFA President “on suspicion of criminal mismanagement” and “suspicion of misappropriation” in respect of the aforementioned payment.