Andrew Sukhotin – journalist of “Novaya Gazeta”, which specializes in investigative situations related to football functionaries. Reporter PC Elena Rykovtseva talking with him about the statement, FIFA President Joseph Blatter made the newspaper Financial Times about a backroom agreement on FM 18 and FM 22:
– Joseph Blatter suddenly announced that the dark was the story, not the lightest story was the fact that Russia has received the World Cup 2018. Andrew, tell me what you know about it.
– not only in 2018 but even in 2022, his application concerned two mundial. I think it is worth recalling that a substantial part of that statement. He said that it was planned by certain diplomatic channels on the basis of a gentlemen’s agreement to hold the World Cup in 2018 in Russia, and the World Cup 2022 in the United States, that would be terrific, the two superpowers in four years will be the two biggest sports tournament at home. But something went wrong, he clearly explained that Michel Platini called him at some point, some time before the voting members of the executive committee of these applications and reported that he was at the Elysee Palace Nicholas Sarkozy, who told him that he would need to pull the voice of Europe in favor of Qatar, because it is in the interests of the French state. This, incidentally, Blatter told the “Financial Times” that then arose curiosities that this translation difficulties. That is, he deliberately gave an interview to the English edition, he knew what he says. And that’s why he says it, I think it is necessary to understand.
I have talked today with some officials of the Ministry of Sports, the Russian Football Union, all in school. It is five minutes to betrayal, because Joseph Blatter has always been our supporter. By and large, the actual claim against Russia was not only all claims voiced by the British media, who claimed that the 2018 World Cup we received was not fair. They cited various examples, had a different argument, however, on the part of officials, may be the same as the UK civil servants also questioned the legality of our World Cup, but the part of FIFA has always been protected. That is, Joseph S. Blatter has been unconditional assurance, and when he said this, of course, it’s fantastic, it’s amazing. Because, firstly, it is clear that he deliberately drowns Platini. He said about corruption. Qatar next year after elections were held the World Cup, has acquired aircraft from France for $ 7 billion. By and large Blatter acknowledged corruption. He is not the most active participant of this corruption, but it actually gives testimony through the media that Michel Platini entered into an agreement with the leadership of the country, while being the president of UEFA, the European football union, and thus changed the vote on layouts against the United States and Qatar. Joseph Blatter said that when he opened the envelope and saw – the winner of the Qatar bid to host the 2022 World Cup, “I was the happiest person on this planet.” I think that This will have enormous consequences, dramatic effect in terms of the investigation, which is now being conducted and the FBI, and the Swiss prosecutor’s office, and against the very Joseph Blatter, and against members of the FIFA Executive Committee, who took part in the vote, two of them are now awaiting extradition in the United States. Of course, now it endangers our country. I honestly wish that this championship has been held in Russia, despite the fact that the costs in the amount of 600 billion rubles seem to me a few wrong and unfounded, I just love football, I would really like to make this Championship took place in our country. Right now, it seems to me, Joseph Blatter endangers, into question not only the validity of our proposal, the 2006 World Cup in Germany also now be at risk, it has already passed, but there is local law enforcement officers make a complaint to the German Football Union and are investigating. It will be if he is now in Russia, I was not sure. Prior to this statement, I was sure. Why I’m not sure now? Because I do not understand the next steps Blatter’s why he said it.
– And what did he say more.
– It’s a clear signal: guys, I’m ready to talk, I’ve found that winning bids in two tournaments was predetermined by some gentlemen’s agreement. Of course, some questions for him, but not by the “Financial Times” and the part of the competent services: and with whom?
– and for how much.
– it was not necessary for value. Britain has raised the issue before the international community: We have spent 21 million pounds in the bid book. For what? What our prime minister flew to the meeting? Why do we take all these steps, no matter how many votes we have, no matter what we flew in the first round, but why do we do this if you have already decided initially by a “gentleman’s agreement».
– which can be called a gentleman, but it can stand for anything.
– Blatter is now clearly a step against us, I want to understand – why. If he so to co-operate with the US Justice, the one hand it gives to understand what was happening to FIFA over the past years, on the other hand it is very sad, because it’s obvious betrayal of the Russian state.
– Let it even under traitor to throw.
– But the main thing I want to say why it happened. I’m in December 2014 dealt with a man whom I trust, which is very rarely wrong – it is official. He drew attention to the fact that Switzerland was amended anti-corruption legislation, under which the 65 sports organizations out there that are registered, subject to additional supervision by the Swiss Justice. And most importantly, that the leaders of sports organizations are politically exposed persons, in fact, they amount to the same Skrynnik, to the same civil servants and thus with respect to their assets and in respect of their operations tightened control. After that I told my companion that now you will see that will be hit by FIFA and the International Olympic Committee. According to FIFA immediately took a blow, because began to check all of their operations. They were actually deprived of a certain immunity. Of course, the statement of Mr. Blatter is not the statement itself, and its next steps, now we can not predict what it will do, it can cause huge chain reaction. Please note that he referred to his conversation with Michel Platini, Platini, a meeting with Sarkozy, which influenced the decision on the 2022 championship, immediately after that Sarkozy flew to Moscow to meet with Vladimir Putin. I am not a conspiracy 80 level, but nevertheless, I have quite a linked these two events, because right now it’s geopolitics.
– He’s coming, so what?
– We do not know that he discusses, but the question is that Blatter is actually said about corruption colossal, that the president of one of the state influenced the decision of the President of UEFA in terms of votes in the Championship 2022.
– arrives as a companion in misfortune Sarkozy here?
– Now I do not want to draw any conclusions, I’m just saying that the signals are very curious. My prediction is that if Blatter really made its choice in favor of the United States, which is not possible because his family is in the territory of the European Union, if it is realized that his situation hopeless, he made such a choice, I do not exclude that in the against our country can be taken serious measures, including in the World Cup in 2018.
– Funny intracorporate detail today, our Bild editor, which prepares photos to our ether, says that it is impossible Blatter find without Putin, they are always together.
– This is a betrayal not only of Russia, is a betrayal of Putin, including.
– Remember how he stood up for him like a hawk. Putin has hired a special interview, the interviewer asked to say how it supports Blatter and how disgusting America .
– Putin, whatever it was, did not deny one thing: he never violates agreements. It is clear that an agreement to support President Blatter took place, Putin from his agreement not trying to deviate. What did Blatter today – is very risky. The first step is a logical now to pull each member of the FIFA Executive Committee, and can be to track the movement of individuals, I mean the so-called diplomatic channels, who met with whom, further investigate, interrogate everyone. And if Blatter tells what it was gentlemanly agreement, and most importantly – to anyone. Here, incidentally, is another point there.
– Let me remind you what was the meaning of charges and Vladimir Putin, the Russian propaganda, all Russian TV channels of the United States that this whole scandal started with the investigation of corruption only to deprive Russia of the World Cup.
– Part I agree with that. Blatter admits that the goal is not to Russia, the aim is a matter of FIFA and can be Mr. Blatter. In this interview, he reveals the United States that I had hoped that the 2022 World Cup will take you, but Platini their actions have deprived the legal right to hold the World Cup. I think that the reason for the deterioration of relations between FIFA and the United States was to defeat the United States in the bid campaign for the right to take the tournament.
– If it was not defeat, they would not investigate these accounts these six officials?
– I think so. Because it was then in Switzerland amended anti-money laundering law, it was done under pressure from the United States. That’s not bad, we are always for transparency. The fact that it could cause, I suppose.
– Let’s see what they think people on the streets of Moscow, how they respond to the question: what do you think, to tell whether Russia received the 2018 World Cup ?
(Videoopros the streets of Moscow, see here)
– What do you think about this opinion?
– It says that, by the way, mind you, in a survey about Skrynnik in full otpesochili all officials, at first people were asked personally honest if we had officials all said that unscrupulous, and the prosecution of the country all stand breast to defense state. Incidentally, I agree with that.
– As for the country in a situation of bargaining and agreements still are the same officials.
– I think you need the emphasis has shifted somewhat. We should not talk about whether Russia is fair in the case of application, and if FIFA was fair for all these years.
– This is the question: who is more guilty – bribes or corrupter? They blame both the Criminal Code and those who offer such arrangements, and those who carried them.
– I believe that bribes. Because FIFA has set conditions before the whole world: we’ll give you the World Cup if the …
– Do you think that no country could resist?
– We’ve all got the right to host the World Cup the same way. Mr. Blatter agreed to tell all. I hope he will tell all, and not just about Russia.
(Fragment of the program “Face to the event.” The full text of the program is available here)
