Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has claimed he witnessed a draw for a European competition being rigged during his time at world football governing body.
Blatter, who is presently serving a six-year ban from the sport after a “disloyal payment” made to former UEFA boss Michel Platini in 2011, refused to say which tournament it was, but revealed the balls containing the names of teams were either heated or cooled to help identify them.
The 80-year-old Swiss made the sensational claim in an interview with Argentine publication La Nacion,adding that only one team had ever successfully benefited from that kind of “cheating”, according to The Mirror.
“Yes. I saw it with my own eyes and it was like cheating,”Blatter replied when asked whether draws had ever been rigged.
“It was for a European competition. Only one team has managed that. It was an Italian side.
“You can see the balls that are drawn identified either by making them hot, or if they have been cooled. I was a witness.”
Blatter then went on to absolve himself from culpability, claiming he was not in any way responsible for the act as he had never drawn the teams.
“I’ve never drawn lots,”said Blatter.“Other presidents did. They have taken the balls themselves from the pot.”
“I was clean to the last.”
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