Russian President Vladimir Putin says that FIFA President Sepp Blatter deserves the Nobel Prize rather than an investigation into alleged corruption.
"People like Mr Blatter or the heads of big international sporting federations, or the Olympic Games, deserve special recognition," said Putin.
"If there is anyone who deserves the Nobel Prize, it's those people."
Blatter has announced that he will step down on June 2 next year, after seven FIFA officials were arrested earlier this year and 14 people indicted on corruption charges.
"We all know the situation developing around Mr Blatter right now," added Putin in an interview with Swiss television.
"I don't want to go into details but I don't believe a word about him being involved in corruption personally."
