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Blatter apologises!

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has apologised to Italy for not presenting the Azzurri with the World Cup in Berlin. “It was a mistake,” he declared

The head of football’s world governing body had infuriated Italian fans by failing to hand over the World Cup to Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro at the end of the July 9 win over France.

This was despite the fact that he was in the stands at the Berlin stadium, with UEFA President Lennart Johansson instead presenting La Nazionale with the trophy.

“History will say that it was a mistake for the FIFA President not to present Italy with their award and I admit that it was so,” said Blatter on Monday in Rome, where he will attend the ceremony honouring the 23 World Cup winners and Coach Marcello Lippi.

“I had already apologised to the authorities for what happened. I only wanted to avoid being booed,” added the Swiss official, who had also suggested that Italy didn’t deserve to reach the World Cup quarter-finals, before backtracking on his comments.

“Italy deserved to win the World Cup. The Azzurri were in a difficult situation in Germany and reacted well, playing excellent football.

“My words in the interview to the Australian television were misunderstood, you just needed to listen to the tape to understand that I didn’t say what was then reported.

“Will I say anything about the infamous episode involving Zinedine Zidane and Marco Materazzi? I am here to meet all the Azzurri, I am sure there will one day be peace between the two players,” concluded Blatter.

Source: http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/jan8h.html#start

We are the best.
Forza Italia.

posted by zann @ 2:00 AM