Sepp Blatter Fifa Quotations

Personally, I still think the idea of holding such a high-profile opening event is a good one. FIFA has not taken the decision to cancel the event at such a late stage lightly, but as world football's governing body, we must put sporting considerations first.

To FIFA such transactions fall well short of minimum standards of decency. We can no longer merely accept them. Nor shall we.

With this legal opinion, which FIFA itself sought, CAS has laid the foundations for resolving any differences that exist with regard to the World Anti-Doping Code.

As the new competition will go ahead in a spirit of solidarity with the champions of all six FIFA confederations involved.

FIFA can prescribe this. Of course, with a transition period. We must reduce national soccer so that we can have a better balance between club and national team soccer.

Fifa hasn't taken a decision to cancel lightly but sporting considerations are crucial.

FIFA places great importance on respecting human life and the physical integrity of human beings. Prostitution and trafficking of women, however, does not fall within the responsibility of an international sports federation but (with) the lawmakers of (each) country.

It is therefore absolutely logical for FIFA, the governing body of football, to extend its reach into beach soccer and we look forward to bringing all of the knowledge and expertise that FIFA has to improving beach soccer, whilst being careful to preserve the sense of spontaneity and fun that are essential to the sport.

The FIFA World Cup is the perfect platform to send out this message to the whole world of football as people all around the globe will follow the 64 matches in Germany. The stars of the tournament will serve as role models for hundreds of millions of other players around the world. So it is all the more important that Germany 2006 sets a positive example.

We go now to the Congress in 45-50 days and then it will be by decision of the Congress ... To give FIFA the authority to intervene in case of non-application.

There is no systematic corruption in FIFA. That is nonsense. We are financially clean and clear.

We cannot allow the reputation of football and FIFA to be dragged through the mud any longer,