An unrepentant Sepp Blatter has insisted that he has been made to feel like a "punching ball" in the wake of his eight-year suspension from all football-related activities.
The FIFA president learned of his punishment - in relation to a £1.3m payment made to his UEFA counterpart Michel Platini four years ago - earlier today.
Seventy-nine-year-old Blatter, who has always denied any wrongdoing, went on to give an almost hour-long press conference, during which he apologised for the way that he has been treated to all of those involved in the game.
"Let us say that I am really sorry. I am sorry that I am still somewhere a punching ball. I'm sorry that I, as president of FIFA, am a punching ball," said the Swiss official.
"I'm sorry for football. I'm sorry for FIFA. I'm sorry for the 400 plus FIFA team members. But I'm also sorry about me, the way I am treated in this vote, the humanity qualities."
Like Blatter, Platini confirmed this afternoon that he will challenge the verdict.
Liam Apicella
