‘Mission Football’: Blatter’s book set to be published this month

Published February 23, 2016
FIFA President Sepp Blatter attends a news conference in Zurich, Switzerland, after he has been banned for 8 years from all football related activities. — AP/File
FIFA President Sepp Blatter attends a news conference in Zurich, Switzerland, after he has been banned for 8 years from all football related activities. — AP/File

ZURICH: Sepp Blatter's long-awaited book about his life at FIFA is expected to be published within days.

The website of Swiss publisher Werd & Weber has said “Sepp Blatter: Mission Football” will cost 49 Swiss francs (US$49) and will be available in February.

Blatter previously said it would be a photograph-led book with anecdotes about his 40 years at FIFA, including as president since 1998.

“Despite the success, Blatter repeatedly had to put up with harsh reviews and prejudices,” the publisher's preview said.

“In this richly illustrated book, Sepp Blatter tells how he learned to deal with the hostility.”

The 300-page, hardcover book was written by his spokesman, Thomas Renggli.

On Tuesday, Blatter should receive the verdict of his appeal to FIFA against an eight-year ban for conflicts of interest.

Blatter hopes to be cleared of wrongdoing so he could host the FIFA presidential election meeting on Friday to pick his successor.

Blatter and one-time election favorite Michel Platini, the UEFA president, were banned by the FIFA ethics committee in December over a “disloyal payment” of $2 million to the former France great in 2011.

Both men claim they had a verbal agreement for FIFA to pay Platini additional salary for his work as Blatter's presidential adviser from 1999-2002.

FIFA ethics prosecutors have counter-appealed to seek life bans for both men

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