Blatter asks Kissinger to help investigate FIFA problems
Henry Kissinger is mulling over an offer from FIFA president Sepp Blatter to form part of a team investigating problems within the governing body.
The 88-year-old former United States secretary of state told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Sportsweek programme: “Yes, he’s invited me, but he has not been specific except to say he wants to create a group of wise men to deal with some of the issues that have arisen.
“I am an avid football fan and have been all my life. I watch as many games as I can.
“If it can help the sport I would be willing to participate but I have to know who the other participants are and what the terms of reference are before I make a final commitment.”
Kissinger said he wanted to help bring about procedures which were “very transparent and as democratic as possible”.
Asked on his thoughts regarding Blatter’s unopposed re-election, Kissinger replied: “I shouldn’t comment on any of these details because if I should join this group then maybe it’s among the issues that is going to be there.”
The English and Scottish Football Associations’ bid to postpone the presidential election ended in a heavy defeat with FIFA members voting by 172 votes to 17 not to do so.
Kissinger expressed an “understanding” for the British but, when asked whether it should have been postponed, said only: “I haven’t followed it that closely.
“My general view is that FIFA should be conducted as transparently and as democratically as is necessary to win public support.”
FIFA have been hit by allegations of wrongdoing during the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding campaigns from The Sunday Times and from England 2018 chairman Lord Triesman.
Sepp Blatter was last Wednesday re-elected unopposed for a fourth term as FIFA president, with rival candidate Mohamed Bin Hammam having been suspended pending a full inquiry into allegations of bribery prior to the vote, along with FIFA vice-president Jack Warner.
