05-28-2015, 08:46 AM
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It's 42
Industry Role:
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Global
Posts: 18,083
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Quote:
MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin lashed out at the United States on Thursday, accusing it of meddling in global soccer amid an unprecedented corruption scandal.
In televised comments, Putin called the U.S. involvement in the FIFA investigation "strange" and said the country was overstepping its power amid growing concerns, especially that of Russia's, that the scandal could affect that country's hosting of the 2018 World Cup.
Speaking to journalists Thursday, Putin called the probe "a clear attempt to keep Mr. (Sepp) Blatter from being re-elected as president of FIFA," according to an official statement on the Kremlin's website. Blatter is expected to win a fifth term Friday.
"This is a blatant violation of the principle of how international organizations function," Putin said. "We are aware of the pressure that he was subjected to in relation to Russia holding the 2018 World Cup."
FIFA corruption: Vladimir Putin accuses U.S. of meddling
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Putin is not paranoid  |
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