Soccer News of Friday, 29 May 2015

Source: goal.com

'Voting against Blatter is blasphemy'

Voting against Fifa president Sepp Blatter in Friday's election would be "blasphemy", according to the Guinea-Bissau FA chief.

On Wednesday, 14 football figures were indicted over corruption allegations with seven Fifa executives arrested for bribery and racketeering charges by US authorities.

A separate investigation saw the Swiss government open criminal proceedings into the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

The news prompted Uefa boss Michel Platini to call for Blatter to resign from his position, but one of Africa's football association presidents Nascimento Lopes believes the Swiss is being unfairly targeted.

"I'm a Christian and this is blasphemy," he told Insideworldfootball.

"It's a state conspiracy. People are always trying to knock Blatter. Africa will vote for Mr Blatter and Blatter will win and I will follow that.

"I agree at some point there has to be change but let Blatter finish his mandate and see what he does. It's not all about the major European football countries.

"If you point three fingers at someone, there's is always one you point at yourself. Tomorrow we are going to vote for Blatter. How do we know anyone else would be any better?"

US federal authorities have presented a 47-point indictment against current and past Fifa officials, which includes claims South Africa won the bidding for World Cup 2010 after millions of pounds exchanged hands.

However, Lopes countered: "Let America show us the proof. Let the investigation bring the result. People say Blatter must have known about this but do I know other people's secrets?"