FIFA president Blatter: Football can't work wonders

By Peter Auf der Heyde Feb 10, 2012, 19:41 GMT

Libreville, Gabon - The president of football's controlling body FIFA Joseph Blatter on Friday reiterated that football is not in a position to heal the ills of society.

Blatter was addressing a press conference in the Gabon capital of Libreville, where he is attending the general assembly and congress of Africa's ruling football body CAF.

'The world is disturbed politically and socially and football can't count as a bulwark against this. We are introducing football into education and also into health programmes. But football can't solve problems beyond those of football.'

He said it was easy for FIFA to control football. 'You have 22 players, 11 each side, three referees, time limits, a ball and lines for the field. That we can control.

'But outside of football, we cannot control these things. There are no time limits, there is no referee. We can only call for respect and fair play and we try to pass this on to society, but it is not easy.'

The Swiss national said that football had the same vices as society: 'Cheating, doping and violence. Football is not violent, but there are elements in society that are.

'We are also aware of match fixing and we are working with Interpol to eradicate this.'

Blatter, who has long been considered a champion of African football, recalled first attending a CAF congress in 1976 in Addis Ababa.

'Being here is like an anniversary for me. It was an honour for me to present the FIFA global development programme at the time, which was then funded by Coca-Cola and adidas, because FIFA had no money for that at the time.

'I remember that Issa Hayatou (the present CAF president) was present at that meeting as general secretary of the Cameroon delegation.'

Blatter also said that FIFA could not turn a blind eye to the tragedy that occurred in Port Said, when well over 70 fans lost their lives after fighting broke out after a league match in Egypt at the beginning of February.

'We have talked about it and will continue talking about it. We will also continue supporting them. It was a very sad day for football, not only for African football, but for world football.'

The 28th Africa Cup of Nations, which has been co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon ends on Sunday with the final between Zambia and Ivory Coast.

Hayatou said the concept of co-hosting the tournament was working well. 'Co-hosting allows all countries in Africa to host the Africa Cup of Nations.

'The regulations say that the competition has to be played in four stadiums. If countries co-host, then even smaller countries can host the tournament.'

He explained why the competition was held every two years. 'We are doing that deliberately to improve the infrastructure throughout the continent. If countries host the Africa Cup of Nations, they will have stadiums when the tournament is completed.

He said there were no plans to increase the number of finalists to 24. 'If it is increased, then countries will struggle to host the tournament. Only a few would be able to do that and we want to give most countries a chance.'

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