FIFA President Sepp Blatter receives high Algerian distinction

FIFA President Joseph Sepp Blatter is currently in North Africa on a three-day visit that began on Sunday 29 April. After an initial stop-off in Morocco, the FIFA delegation, which also includes FIFA vice-president and CAF President Issa Hayatou, arrived in Algeria to a warm welcome on Monday.

• To mark his return to the country ten years after his last trip, President Blatter was awarded Algeria’s National Order of Merit during a special evening ceremony organized in the capital Algiers.
• The honour was bestowed upon him by Hachemi Djiar, the Algerian Minister of Youth and Sport, on behalf of Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

• “Speaking for myself, for FIFA and for the Executive Committee members present here today, namely Issa Hayatou, vice-president of FIFA, Hany Abo Rida and Mohamed Raouraoua, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to President Bouteflika,” said the FIFA President after receiving the accolade.

• Blatter’s visit to Algeria, which is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its declaration of independence this year, will continue with further engagements on Tuesday.