GENEVA (AP) – Sepp Blatter tried to rally the troops at FIFA headquarters after the suspension of his top deputy, insisting soccer’s embattled world governing body would withstand the latest wave of corruption allegations.
Blatter sent an email message to more than 400 staffers following Thursday night’s suspension of FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke over accusations involving black market World Cup tickets
“Please be assured that FIFA remains confident of its ability to recover from the present difficult situation and to restore its reputation for the good of game,” Blatter wrote in the email seen by The Associated Press.
“I urge you all to continue your hard work to develop, promote and celebrate the game we love,” said Blatter, who is due to step down as FIFA president on Feb. 26 after 18 years in the job.
Valcke, a 54-year-old Frenchman, was in talks to settle his multi-million-dollar FIFA contract even before he was suspended, according to an official familiar with the situation.