SEPP BLATTER will be allowed to attend the World Cup in Russia – despite his six-year ban from football.
Russian president Vladimir Putin has invited former Fifa president Blatter to the tournament.
Blatter is suspended from the game until 2021 because of an illicit £1.65million payment made to former Uefa chief Michel Platini by Fifa on Blatter’s watch.
A Fifa spokesperson said of Blatter’s proposed trip: “As long as he has no official function, this should be fine.”
Blatter, 81, said: “I will go to the World Cup in Russia.
“I received an invitation from President Putin.
AP:Associated Press
“I don’t know how long I will go for, whether I will be there for the opening match or the final.
“Because I can’t work in football and I don’t have an assignment to do, maybe I will only make a short visit.”
Blatter also claimed that Platini had received an invitation from Putin, although other sources denied this.
Blatter remains under criminal investigation by the Swiss authorities over his running of Fifa.
AP:Associated Press
AP:Associated Press
Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said: “You know that Putin and Blatter have for a long time been, you could say, friends.
“The World Cup is a great celebration of football and everyone who is invited will be welcome, and old friends will also be welcome.”
Platini was permitted by Fifa to attend Euro 2016 matches in his native France, provided he had no official function, but chose to stay away.
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