Crisis, what crisis? I will restore Fifa’s credibility, vows Blatter

The boss of football’s governing body insisted there was no crisis in the game in a dramatic solo Press conference last night as allegations and counter-allegations between senior Fifa staff continued to emerge.

The organisation’s secretary general, Jerome Valcke, was the latest to wade into the saga, confirming that he sent an email in which he claimed the 2022 World Cup – awarded to Qatar – had been “bought”.

However, he insisted he was referring to Qatar using “financial strength” to lobby legitimately for votes. Allegations of corruption have already seen Blatter left as the only candidate in tomorrow’s presidential election.

Former candidate Mohamed bin Hammam and executive committee member Jack Warner have been suspended from all football-related activity after the ethics committee said it would launch a “full inquiry” into bribery allegations made against them.

Warner and bin Hammam are accused of offering $40,000 to Caribbean football officials in Trinidad earlier this month, to secure votes for bin Hammam’s campaign. Both deny the claims but bin Hammam has withdrawn his candidacy.

Warner hit back by releasing details of the email from Valcke, who wrote: “For MBH, I never understood why he was running. If really he thought he had a chance or just being an extreme way to express how much he does not like anymore JSB [Blatter]. Or he thought you can buy Fifa as they bought the WC.”

Blatter said last night that he regretted what had happened in the last few days and weeks, which had resulted in “great damage to the image of Fifa”.