FIFA president Sepp Blatter has issued a defence of himself and the governing body by claiming that all the good work the organisation does for football is being ignored by the media.
The 77-year-old said that he has been hurt by criticism during his tenure, which has been dogged by allegations of corruption, especially regarding the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
In a speech to the Oxford Union, Blatter said: "Perhaps you think you know who I am, what FIFA is, what we do. Perhaps you think I am a ruthless parasite sucking the lifeblood out of the world and out of football. The Godfather of the FIFA gravy train. An out-of-touch, heartless schmoozer.
"There are not many names that the media haven't thrown at me in the last few years. You would have to have a heart of stone for it not to hurt. You ask yourself, what have I done? Why has it come to this? Is FIFA to blame for everything? Are we not just a football organisation working for the good of the game? How did it come to this? People like a scapegoat, of course, but how could things have become so twisted?
"As you can see, I am not some overbearing bully who can intimidate my critics with one look and strong arm governments to my will. Sometimes it feels like all that unsung, good work FIFA is working to achieve through investing in football and communities around the world has been washed away in the thoughtless swipe of the pen."
Blatter began working at FIFA in 1975 and was elected as president in 1998.
Michael Penkman
