I would be disappointed if Blatter is implicated � Sebego
Mqondisi Dube | Thursday June 4, 2015 18:00
Blatter announced he was stepping down, just four days after his re-election to the presidency on Tuesday.
Two days before the election, several FIFA officials were arrested over corruption allegations.
Sebego yesterday confirmed to Mmegi Sport that the BFA had voted for Blatter, who is largely credited for advancing the development of the game in Africa since he took charge in 1998. Africa hosted its first ever World Cup five years ago in South Africa, although the successful bid is now subject of investigation. It is alleged the South Africans paid former FIFA vice president, Jack Warner US$10million (approx. P100million) to secure the bid.
Sebego said he hoped to establish the facts behind Blatter’s decision to step down, just a few days after his re-election in Zurich last week.
“We might not have been privy to certain facts before the congress. If he has something crucial against him, then it is only proper that he resigns.
Football should come first,” he said.
Asked if he had fears that Africa and other developing regions would suffer under a new regime, Sebego said he did not believe that Blatter’s departure would have an adverse impact on the sporting fraternity.
“We have the one association, one vote. That is our bargaining tool, unless if we scrap it. But it is only us who can do so (scrap it) so we still have it,” he said.
Sebego also said the only challenge would be to find a person with proven passion for development.
On why they voted for Blatter when they were aware of the corruption scandals, Sebego said the world soccer governing body’s boss was not implicated in any wrongdoing.
“It (the implication of other FIFA officials) did not necessarily mean that Blatter was corrupt,” he argued.
Africa has benefited immensely from Blatter’s reign and the man was seen as leaning towards the ‘disadvantaged’ associations much to the chagrin of the more powerful UEFA.
Under Blatter’s leadership, Botswana has seen the implementation of the FIFA Goal Project, which resulted in the building of Lekidi Centre and an artificial turf pitch.
FIFA Goal Project III has moved to Francistown.