By Otniel Hembapu
WINDHOEK – The Namibia Football Association (NFA) President John Muinjo has leapt to the defence of FIFA President Sepp Blatter, saying Blatter’s unsung work in developing the game of football in various parts of the world, particularly Africa, is often overshadowed by “the ruthless pen” of the British media.
Muinjo has joined several African football bosses in condemning recent comments made by former chairman of the English Football Association, David Triesman, who was reported in the British media accusing FIFA’s hierarchy of corruption and likening the world’s football governing body to a ‘’mafia family’’.
In an interview with New Era Sports yesterday, the Namibian football supremo minced no words and said it was time for the British media to swallow its pride and stop looking for scapegoats in their failed bid to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Muinjo added that FIFA under the leadership of Blatter has taken the World Cup to almost all parts of the world, from South America to Asia and recently Africa, while the integrity of African football and its various developmental programmes has enjoyed much attention from Blatter’s administration over the years.
Having been one of those targeted by recent allegations in the British Sunday Times that claimed over 30 African football chiefs received cash-for-vote money from former Asian football president Mohamed Bin Hammam to gain support for Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid, Muinjo took another swipe at the British media and accused them of deliberately launching defamatory and degrading attacks on African football bosses.
Muinjo also openly admitted that he supports Blatter’s plans of gaining a 5th term as FIFA president, saying the 78-year-old Blatter still has more to offer the world and should be accorded another term to fulfill the dreams he has for FIFA, while busy grooming his next successor.