Olympic boycott would not benefit anyone, says head of FIFA

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2008

FRANKFURT, Germany (AFP) — FIFA president Sepp Blatter opposes a boycott of the Beijing Olympics in the belief nobody would benefit from such a move, the German Football Federation (DFB) on Monday reported the head of world football's governing body as saying.

"A boycott has never benefited anybody - athletes in particular," the DFB quoted Blatter as saying in an interview published on its website.

"If one wants to help the Chinese people - then the athletes should be there.

"And football will make an extraordinary contribution, as the preliminary round matches will not only take place in Beijing," said Blatter.

"We will bring along the Olympic spirit, the Olympic ideal. That is good for the (host) country and for its population," Blatter concluded....