Fifa scandal: 'Blatter is focused, congress will come on as scheduled' - FIFA Communications

FIFA Head of Communications, Walter De Gregorio says the organization 'appreciates the developments and wants to cooperate with the authorities'.

After top FIFA officials were arrested on corruption charges on Thursday morning, countless journalists, photographers and cameramen assembled in the FIFA media hall to hear the official statement.

Mr. De Gregorio noted that the arrest of the six high-ranked officials was 'good for FIFA', but that the timing was a bit problematic however, 'As you know, the congress is on Friday and is going to take place either way. The congress has nothing to do with the current proceedings'.

Asked whether he knew what happened at the Zurich luxury hotel Baur au Lac, De Gregorio claimed lack of knowledge. 'At 6 o'clock this morning I was still asleep. We were all surprised. What exactly happened, whether there were problems, I don't know. I got a phone call at 7am, so I don't know what exactly happened,' he told blick.ch

According to the FIFA Head of Communications president Sepp Blatter is focused on the congress.

'He is not quite dancing in his office right now. He is calm, he follows what is happening and he cooperates with everyone. He is not a happy person today. But he knows that these are consequences that we have initiated ourselves. The arrested have not been found guilty yet so we cannot suspend them,' he added.

According to De Gregorio, FIFA currently has no plans to postpone the congress that is about to start on Thursday. 'There has never been the idea to delay anything. The election will take place as planned.'

'Just as the World Cups 2018 and 2022 in Russia and Qatar: 'The World Cups 2018 and 2022 will be played in Russia and Qatar.'