Fifa president Sepp Blatter confirmed on Saturday (December 20th) that world football's governing body has not been unduly affected by the ongoing global economic downturn.
At present, Fifa receives the bulk of its income from the World Cup every four years, with it revealing recently that it has negotiated a 514.6 million euro insurance package for the 2010 and 2014 tournaments.
Now Blatter has moved to dispel any fears that it has been impacted by the financial crisis and has instead explained that the focus is squarely on helping clubs through the difficult period.
He told AFP: "Fortunately, our financial situation nowadays is a very comfortable one. We can look forward with optimism, but optimism with a little bit of reduction in over-optimism.
"Certain leagues are losing their sponsors, then their TV rights. We need to show solidarity in these troubled times."
Blatter added that Fifa has now brought 95 per cent of its budget for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa under contract and that it has plenty of cash reserves if required.
Fifa was founded in Paris on May 21st, 1904 and its first president was Robert Guerin.
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21 October 2010
21 October 2010
21 October 2010
20 October 2010
20 October 2010
