Paris, Feb 25 (IANS): Suspended FIFA president Sepp Blatter confirmed two days before convening the FIFA Congress which will elect a new president for the world soccer governing body, that he "was scared, even physically," when the police arrested seven FIFA officials last May 27.
In an interview published on Wednesday by French sports daily L'Equipe, Blatter said, "That day I said to myself - even God has abandoned me - when something like that falls on you it's terrible", reports Efe.
Blatter, who will turn 80 next March, was at the helm of FIFA for 17 years. He said that his fate would have been different if the United States was granted the honour of organising the 2022 World Cup and not Qatar.
Blatter noted that suspended French UEFA president Michel Platini called him in November 2010 and said that he had met former French president Nicolas Sarkozy and the Qatari crown prince, and both confirmed their desire that the Arab country should host the World Cup.
The Swiss raised doubts regarding Platini's personality, and said that the Frenchman advised him to leave FIFA.
Blatter added that Platini told his brother that he must withdraw from the FIFA presidential race for a fifth term or he will end up in prison.
The Swiss explained that he now hopes to restore his reputation, as well as the possibility of the FIFA Congress holding a farewell ceremony for him.