Suspended FIFA president Sepp Blatter deserves Nobel Peace Prize: Vladimir Putin

New Delhi: Russian president Vladimir Putin stunned many on Thursday by stating that the suspended FIFA chief Sepp Blatter should be given the Nobel Peace Prize.

"That (Sepp Blatter) is someone who should be given the Nobel Peace Prize," says Putin.

Interestingly the statement came at a time when the FIFA is reeling from the worst corruption scandal in its more than 100-year history and Blatter too is under investigation regarding the same.

Referring to the corruption investigation, the Russian leader went on to say that Western "machinations" were behind the ongoing inquiry and added that Blatter's contribution to the global humanitarian sphere was colossal.

Amazingly, Putin's statement came on a day when Blatter appeared before the ethics committee of world soccer`s governing body, in a case that could end with him banned from the sport for years.

(With Agency inputs)