FIFA chief arrives to grace PFF rites

 Joseph Sepp Blatter, president of the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), arrives today from Zurich to attend the Centennial Celebrations of the Philippine Football Federation.

It will be his second such visit in his capacity as a FIFA official.

It has been over 30 years since a FIFA president visited the country. At that time, Blatter came as FIFA general secretary, together with then president Jao Javelange of Brazil.

He was born on March 10, 1936 in Visp, Wallis, Switzerland, and is the eighth president of FIFA. His senior vice president is Julio Grondona.

Blatter is scheduled to arrive via Singapore Airline with Asian Football Confederation president Mohamed Bin Hamman. Both Blatter and Hamman were invited by former PFF president and now chairman emeritus Juan Miguel Romualdez, who will meet the special guests at the airport together with newly elected PFF president Jose Mari Martinez.

Both Blatter and Hamman will proceed to Sofitel Hotel, where they are billeted, for a press conference. Cocktails will follow, preceding the 7 p.m. festivities for Philippine Football’s 100 years.

Over 500 guests are expected to attend the celebrations organized by the Centennial Celebration Organizing Committee headed by Catherine Rivilla.

During the program, outstanding achievers of the past century will be given awards to be presented by Blatter and Hamman. The special guests leave at noon Saturday after watching young football players scrimmage at Tuloy sa Don Bosco in Alabang.