Share

Blatter will not attend IOC meeting - FIFA

Lausanne - Outgoing FIFA president and Olympic member Sepp Blatter will not attend next week's International Olympic Committee meeting in Lausanne, world football's governing body announced on Friday.

"In April, the FIFA president informed the IOC that he would not be attending in person the session in Lausanne. His plans have not changed," a FIFA spokesperson confirmed.

Blatter announced his resignation as FIFA president on Tuesday, four days after his election for a fifth successive term.

That thunderbolt came after a week of turmoil for football's ruling authority, with the arrest of seven FIFA officials on corruption charges and inquiries into the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar.

The 79-year-old Swiss became one of football's two representatives on the IOC in 1999, shortly after becoming FIFA boss for the first time. The other is African football chief Issa Hayatou.

Blatter is to remain in office at FIFA until an election is held, sometime between December this year and March 2016.

Under new age limits he was going to have to relinquish his IOC membership on March 10 next year, when he turns 80.

Among the items on the agenda at Tuesday's IOC gathering are the presentation by Beijing and Almaty of their bids to host the 2022 Winter Olympics.


We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE