Sepp Blatter has likened the FIFA investigation into his conduct as president of football's governing body to 'the Spanish Inquisition'.
In a letter to the FIFA 209 member associations, the 79-year-old said that he was "bewildered by the insinuations and allegations brought against me by the investigatory chamber of the ethics committee".
Blatter is due to appear before FIFA's ethics committee on Thursday faced with charges of corruption, conflict of interest and non-cooperation relating to a £1.35m payment to UEFA president Michel Platini in 2011, weeks before Blatter was re-elected for a fourth term.
Pending the investigation, both men have been suspended from all footballing activity for 90 days, although Blatter's letter appears to contravene the ruling.
Blatter went on to write: "These proceedings remind me of the Inquisition. I will continue to fight for my rights – and at the end of this week, I will present my case before the adjudicatory chamber with great conviction and a strong belief in justice.
"Although I have been suspended, I am not isolated and will certainly not be silenced."
Platini's hearing will follow on Friday ahead of an expected ruling on Monday.
Neil Wilkes
