A FIFA press conference came to a blundering halt Monday after a prankster threw a fistful of fake money at organization president Sepp Blatter.
“Where is my security?” Blatter is heard saying as British comedian Simon Brodkin hopped onstage.
Brodkin, appearing in character as footballer “Jason Bent,” made a proclamation about securing North Korea’s 2026 World Cup bid.
He was pulled off stage by security shortly after.
After the incident, Blatter walked to a podium and addressed media.
“We have to clean here first,” he said, pointing at the strewn fake American dollar bills on the ground.
“This has nothing to do with football.”
Officials then proceeded to pick up the fake money.
The stunt followed the announcement that soccer’s governing world body will choose a replacement for the embattled president on Feb. 26, 2016 through an “extraordinary elective Congress” in Zurich.
Blatter confirmed he won’t be seeking re-election.
“There will be a new president,” he said.
FIFA also announced the launch of a task force to recover its public image amid a growing corruption scandal after several of the organization’s top officials were arrested in a Swiss hotel in May.
Despite facing bribery allegations amounting to over USD $150 million over 20 years, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, officials have said the next two World Cups in Russia and Qatar will go on.
![]()
Like Us On Facebook
![]()
Follow Us On Twitter
Also on HuffPost:
“Where is my security?” Blatter is heard saying as British comedian Simon Brodkin hopped onstage.
Excited to be at FIFA meeting Sepp Blatter to secure the #NorthKorea2026 World Cup. pic.twitter.com/7UV6spP8wc
— Jason Bent (@Jason9Bent) July 20, 2015Brodkin, appearing in character as footballer “Jason Bent,” made a proclamation about securing North Korea’s 2026 World Cup bid.
He was pulled off stage by security shortly after.
After the incident, Blatter walked to a podium and addressed media.
“We have to clean here first,” he said, pointing at the strewn fake American dollar bills on the ground.
“This has nothing to do with football.”
Officials then proceeded to pick up the fake money.
FIFA officials clean up the fake money showered on Blatter pic.twitter.com/Gz0xESSqM3
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) July 20, 2015The stunt followed the announcement that soccer’s governing world body will choose a replacement for the embattled president on Feb. 26, 2016 through an “extraordinary elective Congress” in Zurich.
Blatter confirmed he won’t be seeking re-election.
“There will be a new president,” he said.
FIFA also announced the launch of a task force to recover its public image amid a growing corruption scandal after several of the organization’s top officials were arrested in a Swiss hotel in May.
Despite facing bribery allegations amounting to over USD $150 million over 20 years, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, officials have said the next two World Cups in Russia and Qatar will go on.
Like Us On Facebook
Follow Us On TwitterAlso on HuffPost:
-- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.