FIFA CRISIS: Anger as Blatter avoids questions over allegations at press briefing

                                                          Fifa president
Sepp Blatter has remained defiant in the face of fresh allegations, claiming that the recent claims of Lord Triesman and a Sunday newspaper do not require any further proceedings.
Speaking to a packed press hall, the head of FIFA, spoke slowly and purposefully as he delivered the news that few had expected.
Blatter said: 'I regret what has happened. In the days and weeks, great damage to the image of FIFA. There is disappointment for the football fans. I am speaking to the football fans.
'The ethics have returned their decision. I have no right to comment on it. But there have been one or two points of which I want to inform you.
'The EXCO was very pleased to receive the report of the FA regarding the allegations made by Lord David Triesman against four FIFA committee members.
'We were happy that we can confirm that there are no elements that would even prompt any proceedings, but for the sake of transparency, but we have agreed that a comprehensive summary of these would be published. The summary can be read on FIFA.com.
'Furthermore we were happy also that we haven’t received any evidence from the Sunday Times or from any announced whistle blower with regards allegations against two other EXCO members.
‘Therefore the same - what shall we do? Nothing. The World Cup 2022 is not touched, nor is the World Cup 2018.
FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke has confirmed that an email he sent suggesting the 2022 World Cup was 'bought' was genuine - but insisted he was referring to Qatar using their 'financial strength' to legitimately lobby for votes.
The email to Jack Warner about was made public by the banned FIFA vice-president in a blistering attack by the Trinidadian on the world governing body yesterday.

Allegation: Former FA chairman Lord Triesman made allegations about FIFA members who asked for favours in exchange for World Cup votes

It referred to Mohamed Bin Hammam, the Qatari who had announced he was standing against Sepp Blatter for FIFA president.
Valcke wrote: 'For MBH, I never understood why he was running. If really he thought he had a chance or just being an extreme way to express how much he does not like anymore JSB [Blatter]. Or he thought you can buy FIFA as they bought the WC.'
In a statement released today, Valcke stated: 'Mr Warner has published an email which I sent to him. I'd like to clarify that I may use in an email - a 'lighter' way of expression by nature - a much less formal tone than in any form of correspondence.
'Having said that, when I refer to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in that email, what I wanted to say is that the winning bid used their financial strength to lobby for support.

Breaking rank: Jack Warner threw his hat into the ring yesterday by revealing an email that appeared to suggest Qatar 2022 hot bought World Cup votes

'They were a candidate with a very important budget and have used it to heavily promote their bid all around the world in a very efficient manner.
'I have at no time made, or was intending to make, any reference to any purchase of votes or similar unethical behaviour.
'I would also like to clarify that there is, as I said yesterday, no investigation open at FIFA regarding the 2022 FIFA World Cup host election.'
Qatar 2022 responded by saying 'Mr Valcke's statement [to Warner] was clearly taken out of context but again Qatar's name has been dragged through the mud for absolutely no reason.

'We would like to reaffirm we won the World Cup bid with the best campaign and without breaching FIFA rules.'

Qualifying statement: FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke said the Warner email was misinterpreted

Meanwhile, Warner issued a statement welcoming the fact that FIFA had cleared him of claims by Lord Triesman that he had asked for cash or favours in return for supporting England's 2018 World Cup bid.

The statement said: 'Tod

ay, I regained some hope in the power of truth and transparency. The report of the independent investigator on the allegations of Lord Triesman has proven once again that whenever the truth is told, people will always be able to have their names exonerated.

'It must have pained Mr Blatter and Mr Valcke to read this report. But the fact which cannot be changed is as Valcke declared 'all four are completely clean'.

'It is because of this complete cleanness why Sir Dave Richards, who is no friend of mine, can say truthfully that he has never heard me ask for money or ask for funds to be channelled through me.'

Financial muscle: Victory for Qatar in the World Cup 2022 vote has been a constant source of anger since last year

FIFA's concerns deepened with the announcement from two major sponsors that the on-going claims and counter claims. Coca-Cola and adidas are united in a belief that the bickering has to stop.
A Coca-Cola spokesperson said: 'The current allegations being raised are distressing and bad for the sport. We have every expectation that FIFA will resolve this situation in an expedient and thorough manner.'
An adidas spokesman said: 'Adidas enjoys a long-term, close and successful partnership with FIFA that we are looking forward to continuing.
'Adidas will be an official sponsor of FIFA World Cup 2014 in Brazil. Having said that, the negative tenor of the public debate around FIFA at the moment is neither good for football nor for FIFA and its partners.' 
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