Blatter says he has become 'punching ball'

Zurich - Sepp Blatter said on Monday that he had become a "punching ball" at FIFA and that he felt sorry for the scandal-engulfed organisation, after his eight-year suspension was announced.

"As president of FIFA I am this punching ball. I am sorry for FIFA," Blatter told journalists in Zurich after a FIFA ethics court banned him for an ethics violation.

Blatter said he would first launch an internal appeal against the suspension at FIFA, before taking his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne.