Blatter: Why I spoke out over Rio
Sepp Blatter believes it is FIFA's "duty to intervene" in cases where world football's governing body believes due process has not been correctly followed.
The FIFA president came under fire recently for his comments on the Rio Ferdinand case, in which he suggested Manchester United should be docked points won while they fielded the England defender following his misconduct charge for missing a drugs test in September.
Blatter said last month: "How can they now settle this case when he has played, and what do you do with the results after that?"
United chief executive David Gill described Blatter's comments as "incomprehensible". But the FIFA chief said today: "I want to make clear why I spoke out and in particular to underline my words were not the result of some autocratic whim, but of considered analysis."
He added: "My comments on the Rio Ferdinand case - when I suggested that the player should be suspended and his club docked the points won in matches he has taken part in since his drug test - have also proved controversial.
"But surely if we condemn a player who has either refused or miraculously forgotten to take a drug test it is not FIFA that is at fault, but those directly responsible for this inexcusable omission and its aftermath; the individual, his club and the FA, which has not swiftly enforced the laws on the suspension of players."
A Football Association hearing into the Ferdinand case is due to start tomorrow.
