Money storm
FIFA president Sepp Blatter is showered with banknotes thrown by British comedian Simon Brodkin during a press conference following the extraordinary Fifa Executive Committee at the headquarters in Zurich yesterday.
EMBATTLED Fifa president Sepp Blatter was the butt of a comedian’s joke yesterday.
At a press conference meant to map out the direction for football’s world governing body’s leadership, a protester showered the outgoing president with fake bills.
The briefing was suspended temporarily as the protester, British comic Simon Brodkin – also known by stage names Jason Brent and Lee Nelson – was removed from the conference venue at Fifa headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.
In the prank, he had reportedly walked up to Blatter – seated behind a table – placed a wad of fake US dollar bills in front of Blatter and said “this is for North Korea 2026”. He then threw the cash into the air, leaving Blatter showered in bills.
The stunt preceded an announcement by the organisation that a special congress would be held on February 26 where a new president would be elected to replace Blatter, who announced his resignation last month.
That announcement came in the wake of a mass arrest of highranking Fifa officials on charges of corruption, racketeering, moneylaundering and wire fraud relating to the awarding of World Cup hosting rights, cash-for-votes scandals, concessions and ticketing contracts and broadcasting and sponsorship deals.
Fourteen officials and sports marketing executives have been indicted in the US investigation, including seven Fifa officials arrested just hours before the May congress was due to start in Zurich.