Blatter slams US action and Europe's 'hate' campaign

FIFA leader Sepp Blatter said Saturday he was "shocked" at the way the US judiciary has targeted football's world body and slammed a what he called a "hate" campaign by Europe's football leaders.

In an interview with Swiss television, Blatter said he suspected the arrest of seven FIFA officials on Wednesday under a US anti-corruption warrant was an attempt to "interfere with the congress" at which he was elected Friday.

He also condemned comments on FIFA made by US judiciary leaders.

"Of course I am shocked. I would never as FIFA president make comments about another organisation without being certain of what has happened."

Blatter also hit out at UEFA president Michel Platini, who had called for his resignation over the corruption scandals.

"It is a hate that comes not just from a person at UEFA, it comes from the UEFA organisation that cannot understand that in 1998 I became president," he added in the interview.

Asked whether he would forgive Platini for the resignation calls, Blatter said "I forgive everyone but I do not forget."