Blatter offered African leader FIFA post: Book

— Revelling in his international diplomacy role, former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has revealed he was asked by Switzerland’s foreign ministry last year to help persuade an African president to leave office.

Blatter offered Pierre Nkurunziza, the Burundi state president and a soccer fan, an ambassador’s role with FIFA as the nation fell into violent turmoil, according to his new book launched on Thursday.

Blatter’s intervention was supported by the United States, he claims in Sepp Blatter: Mission and Passion Football, and known to Secretary of State John Kerry.

“Mr. Kerry was involved,” Blatter said at a book launch party. “I am very happy that finally it came out. It shows that football is about more than kicking a ball.”

The diplomatic intrigue played out one year ago just as the U.S. Department of Justice prepared to hit senior FIFA officials with an indictment alleging bribery, fraud, and money laundering last May 27. In the fallout, Blatter was forced from office.

Last April, Nkurunziza said he wanted an unconstitutional third presidential term and a bloody military coup failed to remove him. Blatter was soon approached by Yves Rossier, the state secretary of the Swiss ministry, and made his offer to Nkurunziza.

“I proposed to the president, who is a big football fan, in front of witnesses that if it would be an advantage for his country and him, FIFA could deploy him as an ambassador for football in Africa or in the whole world,” Blatter says in the book.

“The mission failed,” Blatter said on Thursday.

Nkurunziza rejected the FIFA role then won a disputed election in July.

The Swiss ministry confirmed on Thursday there was contact between Blatter and Rossier.