Blatter denies authorizing $10 million payment to disgraced Warner
Sepp Blatter has insisted he was not the high-ranking FIFA official who authorised a 10million US dollar payment to the disgraced Jack Warner saying: "Definitely that's not me."
Blatter also revealed he will make a personal visit to sponsors who have expressed concern about the corruption storm that has surrounded the world governing body this week.
The 79-year-old, re-elected as FIFA president for a fifth term on Friday, appeared at a news conference in Zurich where he also announced there would be no changes to the allocation of World Cup places for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.
Blatter was challenged about the allegation, contained in the US justice department's indictment of 18 football-related people, that in 2008 a bribe of 10 million US dollars (£6.54million) for Warner and fellow FIFA member Chuck Blazer to vote for South Africa.
The indictment states "a high-ranking FIFA official caused payments... totalling 10 million - to be wired from a FIFA account in Switzerland to a Bank of America correspondent account in New York... controlled by Jack Warner."
Blatter told the news conference: "I don't go into this allegations. If such a thing is under investigation let it go and definitely that's not me.
"This is a problem I do not enter. We will not go further. The only thing I can say is I have no 10 million dollars.
"The Americans are making investigations they have right to do so, I have no concerns, I especially have no concerns about my person."
Blatter did confirm that FIFA has taken action to reassure its sponsors after concerns were expressed - VISA threatened to reassess its agreement if changes were not brought in.
He added: "We have had contact with the sponsors last week when such declaration came. We have exchanged letters and we start to bring back the reputation of FIFA.
"I'm sure we will bring them back all in the right situation and have planned a personal visit to the organisation of these sponsors."
He was speaking after an extraordinary executive committee meeting - not attended by England's David Gill who is rejecting his seat as he will not serve under Blatter - where members agreed that World Cup slots for the 2018 and 2022 finals would not change.
"Some were more grumpy than others," said Blatter.
He also revealed that all confederations apart from Asia will be allowed to bid for the 2026 World Cup - though England has made it clear they will not while Blatter is president. Asia is ruled out as its member Qatar is host in 2022.
