Guinea-Bissau Football President Backs Blatter Amid FIFA Scandal
Despite the growing corruption scandal surrounding FIFA, African football officials have continued to show unwavering support for the organisation’s president, Sepp Blatter. Speaking from Zurich, the president of the Guinea-Bissau Football Federation, Manuel Lopes Nascimento, reiterated Africa’s backing for the embattled FIFA chief.
“I am deeply sorry for what happened yesterday. This is not the way to remove Sepp Blatter,” Nascimento told reporters. “We are here to give him our full support. Africa is here to support Blatter so he can fulfil his commitment to football.”
The visit comes amid widespread allegations of corruption involving senior FIFA officials, including investigations surrounding the awarding of the 2010 World Cup to South Africa.
“People accuse South Africa of paying $10 million in bribes. But who would dare say, during the time of Nelson Mandela, that such a thing happened? This is just an attack on FIFA because African football is progressing,” Nascimento added.
Defending Blatter’s legacy, he continued: “Compare football in Africa in the 1970s and 1980s to now – it is the work of Mr. Blatter and Mr. Issa Hayatou. I consider myself an anti-corruption man. No one can corrupt me.”
Nascimento’s remarks reflect the broader sentiment among African football federations, many of whom credit Blatter with championing development and investment across the continent. With the FIFA presidential election looming, Africa’s bloc vote could prove decisive in determining whether Blatter secures a fifth term.
