FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who knew Nelson Mandela from his successful efforts to bring the World Cup to South Africa, reflected and hailed the former South African President andNobel Peace Prize.
“It is in deep mourning that I pay my respects to an extraordinary person, probably one of the greatest humanists of our time and a dear friend of mine: NelsonRolihlahla Mandela,” said Blatter. “When he was honored and cheered by the crowd at Johannesburg’s Soccer City stadium on 11 July 2010, it was as a man of the people, a man of their hearts, andit was one of the most moving moments I have ever experienced.
“He andI shared an unwavering belief in the extraordinary power of soccer to unite people in peace and friendship, and to teach basic social and educational values as a school of life.
“NelsonMandela will stay in our hearts forever. The memories of his remarkable fight against oppression, his incredible charisma and his positive values will live on in us and with us. …. As a mark ofrespect and mourning, the flags of the 209 member associations at the Home of FIFA will be flown at half-mast and there will be a minute’s silence before the next round of internationalmatches.”