Blatter: Corruption cases shame, humiliate soccer

FILE - In this May 19, 2015 file photo FIFA President Sepp Blatter attends a press conference in Jerusalem. Blatter is seeking reelection at the FIFA congress in Zurich where six soccer officials were arrested and detained by Swiss police on Wednesday, May 27, 2015 pending extradition at the request of U.S. authorities after a raid at a luxury hotel. The officials are in Switzerland for the FIFA congress and presidential election. (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov) FILE - In this May 19, 2015 file photo FIFA President Sepp Blatter attends a press conference in Jerusalem. Blatter is seeking reelection at the FIFA congress in Zurich where six soccer officials were arrested and detained by Swiss police on Wednesday, May 27, 2015 pending extradition at the request of U.S. authorities after a raid at a luxury hotel. The officials are in Switzerland for the FIFA congress and presidential election. (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)

By Associated Press May 28, 2015 1 min read

ZURICH (AP) – FIFA President Sepp Blatter says he intends to help restore trust in world soccer after a pair of corruption investigations brought “shame and humiliation” on the sport.

Blatter spoke publicly for the first time since the corruption scandals broke Wednesday and threw FIFA into crisis ahead of Friday’s presidential election.

Blatter blamed the “actions of individuals” and said corruption “has to be stopped now” to prevent FIFA’s reputation from being “dragged through the mud.”

Blatter rejected demands from European association UEFA that he resign. He is expected to win a fifth term in Friday’s election against Prince Ali of Jordan.

American and Swiss authorities are pursuing separate federal investigations into racketeering and the 2018 and 2022 World Cup votes.