Sepp Blatter Claims Near-Death Experience

FIFA boss Sepp Blatter has spoken about his recent near-death experience, likening it to a competition between angels and the devil.

Blatter is serving a 90-day ban from FIFA after almost 18 years as head of the world's football body, while he is investigated for possible corruption.

The 79-year-old spent six days in hospital earlier this month with a stress-related illness, which he said saw him "close to dying".

"I was between the angels who were singing and the devil who was lighting the fire - but it was the angels who sang," he told Swiss broadcaster RTS.

"The pressure was enormous.

"At some stage the body just says 'no - enough is enough'.

"But if you are strong psychologically, you can resist."

Swiss prosecutors are investigating whether Blatter stayed within the law when he made a $2m (£1.35m) payment to European football chief Michel Platini.

The payment was allegedly made four years ago but Blatter insists he did nothing wrong and he told the Swiss interview that Platini, who is also serving a 90-day ban, is an "honest man".

Despite the ban, Platini is still running to succeed Blatter as FIFA president in February's elections and Blatter said the Frenchman would make a good leader for the scandal-hit organisation.

He added: "If he comes back, he will be elected."

Meanwhile, FIFA's ethics committee has chosen to bring formal proceedings against the pair based on the final reports submitted by its investigatory arm. A decision in both cases is due to be made in December.