Valcke protests innocence over alleged $10m bribe

The Frenchman has insisted that he is innocent amid ongoing corruption allegations and sees no reason to leave his position any time soon.Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke has distanced himself from allegations he was involved in a $10 million payment to secure the 2010 World Cup for South Africa.Last week, United States Department of Justice alleged the sum was paid as a bribe, with the New York Times reporting Valcke was responsible for transferring the funds to Concacaf - then led by the indicted Jack Warner.Fifa, rocked after president Sepp Blatter announced on Tuesday that he intends to step down in the wake of the corruption scandal that has engulfed the world governing body, subsequently denied the allegations and Valcke has now followed suit, before stressing that he has no intention of resigning.
The $10 million payment does not come from a Fifa account, he told France Info radio.I didn't have the power to authorise a payment. I don't know what my role is in this corruption story.I have no reason to say I wouldn't stay secretary general.I can't blame myself for anything. I don't have to prove that I am innocent.It will be up to the next Fifa president to decide who he wants as secretary general.