In an interview with journalists which was released on the FIFA.com site this morning, Blatter said; “I am amazed, yet actually not particularly surprised by the suggestion. I don't really know whether I should be appalled or whether I should laugh about it. It definitely does not fit in with the notion of Corporate Social Responsibility which was adopted at the 2007 FIFA Congress. Everyone needs to assume their own responsibilities. Those who think that they are the best - i.e. the Premier League - should first and foremost demonstrate their social responsibility to others.”
Crucially, Blatter said that ‘deriving supplementary income by extending the Premier League around the world is not acceptable’. Blatter continued, “It will not be accepted by the FIFA Executive Committee. Certain members of the Executive Committee have already given their opinions on the matter, and I am yet to hear much support coming from England for this project. In commercial terms it is certainly not enforceable and it goes against the ideas of social responsibility and solidarity.”
Blatter said that the Executive Committee in March was sure to reject the move and that he personally had not been contacted about the issue by the league or from the English FA.
As for the influence of the plans on England's chances of applying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Blatter said: “If you oppose the FIFA World Cup decision-makers - namely the FIFA Executive Committee - then you cannot expect the very same board to make a decision in your favour. But I do not want to rule out the chances of any country that wishes to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup."
