SOCCER-FIFA/RUSSIA-VALCKE MUTKO Russia sees no threat to World Cup, Valcke hits back over $10 million transactions

Record ID: 150833

  • Title: SOCCER-FIFA/RUSSIA-VALCKE MUTKO Russia sees no threat to World Cup, Valcke hits back over $10 million transactions
  • Date: 10th June 2015
  • Summary: SAMARA, RUSSIA (JUNE 10, 2015) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** FIFA SECRETARY GENERAL JEROME VALCKE AND RUSSIAN SPORTS MINISTER VITALY MUTKO ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) FIFA SECRETARY GENERAL JEROME VALCKE, SAYING: "I just want to say that in the meantime it is true that whatever is happening at FIFA, whatever is discussed at FIFA,
  • Embargoed: 25th June 2015 13:00
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  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAC0C5OW67H96OV3ZRAZUALKO35
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke Valcke on Wednesday (June 10) dismissed allegations of wrongdoing over $10 million in bank transactions that are under investigation by U.S. authorities.
    After visiting one of the 2018 World Cup venues in the Russian city of Samara, he said plans were on track and that there had been nothing in Russia's bidding process to conclude it was not in line with the regulations.
    "Whatever is said and discussed about FIFA - the World Cup has to be protected, the World Cup is all the basic system of FIFA in order to develop football around the world," he said at a news conference in Samara.
    "Nothing was big enough during the process to say that the final decision was not in line with all the rules and regulations which have been in place. And in fact it's the same conclusion Michael Garcia had in his report," added Valcke, referring to former FIFA's independent investigator Michael Garcia, who submitted a report of his 18-month investigation into the controversial bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, which are now the subject of a probe by Swiss authorities.
    A summary of that report released by FIFA ethics judge Hans-Joachim Eckert in November found some impropriety by bid teams, but not enough to re-open the bidding process for the showpiece events due to be held in Russia and Qatar respectively. Garcia, who complained the summary misrepresented his report, resigned in December after his appeal against Eckert's statement was rejected by a FIFA committee.
    The FBI are investigating bribery and corruption at FIFA, including scrutiny of how soccer's governing body awarded World Cup hosting rights to Russia, which won the bidding for 2018, and Qatar, which is due to host the finals in 2022.
    Despite investigations into the bidding process involving Russia and Qatar, Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said he saw no threat to Moscow's successful bid.
    "We acted within regulations that existed at the time. I can assure you that if something was there then it would (come out) in two-three years since. The only thing I'm worried about is wrongful accusations here," he said.
    He reiterated that Russia's successful bid to host the tournament had been in line with the rules and warned other countries not to 'rock the boat'.
    "Do not rock this boat. They said already that Germany wrongfully got their (2006) World Cup, or Britain hosted some wrong reception for 40 thousand pounds. And now it will all snowball. We should understand that we acted within the legal football framework that existed at the time," said Mutko.
    According to media reports, FBI is preparing to investigate Valcke and FIFA's president Sepp Blatter, who announced resignation last week, as part of its probe into a $150 million corruption scandal involving FIFA officials.
    As secretary general of FIFA since 2007, and as FIFA President Sepp Blatter's lieutenant, Valcke is seen as one of the most powerful men in world sport.
    In an emotional appearance sitting beside Russian officials at the news conference, the Frenchman also issued a new denial of allegations of wrongdoing over $10 million in bank transactions that are under investigation by U.S. authorities.
    The funds were transferred in 2008 to another FIFA official, Jack Warner, who was then the president of CONCACAF, which governs football in North and Central America and the Caribbean.
    Valcke said there were no grounds to blame him or FIFA over the way the funds - central to the U.S. bribery investigation against FIFA - were used.
    "I'm sorry, I don't know what to say more than that. I have no more answer about this case. I have no more things to say. I mean, you have decided that after Blatter I have to be the next head to be cut? Fine. I mean, but say it. But don't use these 10 millions. Because these 10 millions have nothing, nothing about these 10 millions where I have made a mistake and where I feel responsible neither for the decision, for the implementation or for the use of the money because I was never asked to do so," said Valcke.
    He also stressed out that he had not been questioned by Swiss prosecutors or police, but had been fiercely criticised in the media.
    "No, never. I have never been questioned, and the Swiss police has all the files. And I'm happy to answer any question. I will be as transparent as I can. I am in front of you because I have nothing else to add. What do you want me to add? Do you want me to take this pen and to hit my head and say, hey, I mean, yeah yeah yeah yeah I've been stupid, I should have asked many questions? What questions? I think it's too much now. But again, I will not... I will answer your question, I will not answer any more questions about these 10 million, it is the first time I do it in front of so many journalists. I was destroyed by the French media, maybe for other reasons. But that's another point. And I don't have to justify myself. Because again, except it, I have to answer my father, he is 80 years old and doesn't understand what's happening about me - this is the only one person I will still answer the question when it's about this case."
    FIFA has also said he had no role in the payments.
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