Split widens as Uefa now critical of Fifa’s reform report

The split between Uefa and Fifa president Sepp Blatter has widened after reports the world governing body watered down a report into reform proposals.

German magazine Der Spiegel reported criticism of Blatter by independent governance committee chairman Mark Pieth was removed from his final report by Fifa’s legal adviser Marco Villiger. The report has led Pedro Pinto, spokesman for Uefa president Michel Platini, to issue a statement criticising the interference. Fifa has said it is “standard procedure” for advisors or auditors to submitreports for comments but they would have retained the power to reject any changes — and indeed only made five out of 37 proposed alterations.

Pinto said: “The latest revelations regarding the Pieth report show Fifa’s independent governance committee was anything but independent. Uefa has always wondered why it was criticised by Mr Pieth and wrongly accused of blocking Fifa reforms. Now we understand why and where it all came from.”