FIFA crisis: Vladimir Putin backs Sepp Blatter, accuses USA of meddling

The world of football has been stunned by a series of developments since news emerged in the early hours of Wednesday that nine senior FIFA officials had been arrested and charged by US authorities alleging a rampant, systemic and deep-rooted” plot over decades to acquire millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks”.

In a simultaneous operation, Swiss authorities announced an investigation into the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup, to be held in Qatar, as they raided FIFA headquarters in Zurich.

US attorney general Loretta Lynch said in a press conference that FIFA would be forced to decide whether the next two World Cups should go ahead as planned, given the persistent claims of corruption which have plagued them.

Russia sports minister Vitaly Mutko, though, insisted his country had "nothing to hide” as an embattled FIFA insisted the World Cup will not be changing hands.

And now Putin has accused America of trying to meddle in foreign affairs and unseat Blatter, who has been given the backing of the Russian leader.

"It looks very strange, the arrests are carried out on the request of the USA side," he said on state TV. "They are accused of corruption – who is? International officials. I suppose that someone broke some rules, I don’t know. But definitely, it’s got nothing to do with the USA. Those officials are not US citizens.

"If something happened it was not in the US and it’s nothing to do with them. It’s another clear attempt by the USA to spread its jurisdiction to other states. And I have no doubt – it’s a clear attempt not to allow Mr Blatter to be re-elected as president of FIFA, which is a great violation of the operating principles of international organisations. The US prosecutor, as our media report, has already said that those FIFA officials have committed a crime. As if the prosecutor didn’t know about the principle of the presumption of innocence.

"We know the position of the USA regarding Mr Snowden. Who uncovered the practice of illegal actions of the US all over the world including tapping in on leaders of other countries. Everyone discussed that, including in Europe. But no one wants to give him refuge and guarantee his security (apart from Russia). No one wants to fight with their partner, their senior partner – He’s a US citizen.

"What about Assange? Who has to hide for several years in foreign embassy. What’s he sought for? Sexual crimes? No one believes that. Because he spread info regarding the actions of the US military, including in Iraq. Why do I recall these cases? The US use these methods to achieve their self-interested aims. And they do it illegally. They harass people.

"I don’t rule out that the same is happening regarding FIFA. Although I don’t know how that will end but the fact it’s happening on the eve of the election FIFA head points to that aim.