RUSSIA (REUTERS) - President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday (Dec 17) that suspended Fifa president Sepp Blatter was "a very respected person" who deserved to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
World soccer's governing body is suffering the worst corruption scandal in its more than 100-year history and Mr Blatter has been suspended from his post pending a full investigation.
Mr Putin said during his annual news conference: "Whether there are signs of corruption in Fifa, the investigation must show. As for Joseph Blatter, he is a very respected person, he has done a lot for the development of world soccer.
"He has always tried to treat football not as a sport but as an element of cooperation between countries and peoples.
"He is the one who must be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize."
Mr Blatter denies any wrongdoing. US prosecutors have charged 41 entities and people including soccer bosses from across the Americas in a case they say involves US$200 million (S$283 million) in bribes and kickbacks tied to the marketing of major tournaments and matches.
"Not a single country has the right to spread its jurisdiction to other states, to say nothing of international organisations," Mr Putin added, in a clear swipe at the United States.
He continued: "This does not mean at all that one should not fight corruption... but we believe this practice, when in various parts of the world they snatch foreign citizens and drag them out to be interrogated and prosecuted, is unacceptable."
Mr Blatter is also the subject of a criminal investigation in his native Switzerland.
In a letter published on Wednesday, he again proclaimed his innocence in the corruption scandal. He is due to testify this week to Fifa's ethics panel.
Mr Putin also targeted critics who allege that corruption may have been behind Fifa's decision to award Russia the right to host the World Cup in 2018.
"We know firmly one thing - that we received the right to host the World Cup in an absolutely honest and competitive fight," the Russian leader emphasised.
