FIFA President Sepp Blatter says he was not responsible for the decision to give Lionel Messi the World Cup Golden Ball award.
The Argentine forward controversially won the prize for the tournament’s best player last night, but the 78-year-old stressed that he was not involved in the selection panel.
FIFA President Sepp Blatter says he was not responsible for the decision to give Lionel Messi the World Cup Golden Ball award.
The Argentine forward controversially won the prize for the tournament’s best player last night, but the 78-year-old stressed that he was not involved in the selection panel.
“Shall I be diplomatic or tell you the truth?’’ Blatter said at a Press conference. “Listen, I was myself a little bit surprised when I saw Messi coming up for the Golden Ball.
“But look at the goals scored by Messi in the different matches. They were decisive.”
The head of world football’s governing body added that he had no say either in the decision to hand Luis Suarez with a four-month worldwide ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini.
“Concerning Suárez, as a footballer myself, I feel for him. I feel such a punishment hurts, it hurts.
“But as President of FIFA I have to accept the decisions taken by independent committee. It is not like the past when we had designated committees and could tell them what to do.
“We are now in this democratic system with independent jurisdiction in FIFA.”