Patrick Vieira has criticised Fifa president Sepp Blatter for the way he handled the death of Cameroon midfielder Marc-Vivien Foe during last month’s Confederations Cup. The Manchester City midfielder collapsed during the Cup semi-final with Colombia with what medics now believe was a heart problem. He was pronounced dead a few minutes later after unsuccessful attempts to revive him.
Vieira, who did not feature in France’s team because of injury, claims he was deeply affected by the incident and outraged by Blatter announcing during the interval of his country’s semi-final with Turkey that the final would still go ahead.
French and Turkish players had learned just before kick-off of Foe’s death.
« I watched that drama live, » said Vieira. « It was a terrible moment. I often played against him.
« We were similar not only in the positions we played but also our unselfishness and desire to go forward. It upset me a lot.
« On the other hand I was outraged by Blatter’s reaction at half-time of the France-Turkey match when he said the final would go ahead.
« It was a decision for the Cameroon players. What a lack of respect. »
