Soccer Scandal: Rafael Nadal Calls for FIFA Boss Sepp Blatter's Ouster
Rafael Nadal, who is the nephew of former Spanish international Miguel Angel Nadal, believes that for Blatter to have been FIFA president since 1998 breeds an unhealthy environment in the sport.
Spanish tennis superstar and avid Real Madrid fan Rafael Nadal waded into the great football corruption scandal Thursday, suggesting the game would be better served without FIFA chief Sepp Blatter's iron grip on power. (Sepp Blatter asked to resign amidst FIFA scandal)
Nadal, who is the nephew of former Spanish international Miguel Angel Nadal, believes that for Blatter to have been FIFA president since 1998 breeds an unhealthy environment in the sport. (World Soccer's worst day: Luis Figo)
"My thought is it is good to have combinations, in politics, in sport, in the world in general," said Nadal. (Diego Maradona Cheers FIFA Arrests)
"It's good to have the right people in every place. It's good to have people who know about what they are doing, in football, in tennis, in countries. ('Luis Suarez a victim of FIFA corruption')
"I cannot say that if you are in the same place for a long time you will not be honest, but it's true that history says that is easier to be honest if you are in shorter periods of time.
"You are there and you come back later. The alternating is good in every place of the world, I think." ('UEFA rules out FIFA Congress and Elections Boycott')
Blatter faces a re-election vote at the FIFA Congress in Zurich on Friday. (Blatter calls for 'crisis' meeting as corruption scandal grows)