FIFA boss Sepp Blatter admits he was near death

Recently hospitalised with stress-related ailments, FIFA president Sepp Blatter has conceded that he was on the verge of death, or as he puts it, "between the angels who were singing and the devil who was lighting the fire."

Blatter told Swiss TV channel RTS, "Yes, I was very close, but luckily I never became unconscious in the 48 hours.

"It was the angels who sang," Blatter continued. "The pressure was enormous. At some stage the body just says, 'No, enough is enough.' But if you are strong psychologically you can resist."

Blatter, 79, who had his and UEFA chief Michel Platini's appeals against their 90-day suspensions overruled, has pledged his support for the embattled Frenchman.

Platini is one of six finalists for the top spot at FIFA when Blatter steps down in February, and despite being embroiled in controversy surrounding an alleged illegal payment of 2 million Swiss francs, the current boss of world football's governing body says, "Platini is an honest man."

Blatter continued, "If he comes back, he will be elected."

Blatter proceeded to vouch for his and Platini's dealings and the gentleman's agreement that led to the illegal payment, saying, "Even in the FIFA regulations it's stated that a contract can be made either in writing or orally.

"It was a contract. An oral contract - a work contract."