Football’s world governing body FIFA held a news conference on Monday, but was forced to stop proceedings after British comedian Simon Brodkin, also known as Lee Nelson, gatecrashed the affair.
The comedian appeared out of the blue and threw fake money on the outgoing FIFA president in what is perceived as a publicity stunt rather than a stand against his rule, before he was escorted of the stage by security.
Lee Nelson has gatecrashed FIFA's press conference and thrown money at Sepp Blatter he's not happy! pic.twitter.com/iV4f4S9e4m
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) July 20, 2015
Sepp Blatter money incident https://t.co/Nw7HmxEHOD
— Football Zone. (@FootbalIZone) July 20, 2015
The Telegraph reports that the comedian attempted to hand the Swiss official the fake money, saying "Sepp, this is for North Korea in 2026" and, whilst being taken away by guards, said "cheers, Sepp - it's all there".
Simon, famous for trying to sneak onto England’s World Cup plane back in 2014, though not a very popular figure, drew praise on Twitter for his antics in the face of the long-serving president.
Lee Nelson should have gone in like shame! Shame! Shame! Shame! pic.twitter.com/GU7TI9fSff
— Danny Welbeck (@WelBeast) July 20, 2015
My dislike for Lee Nelson has slightly lessened after his latest stunt.
— 1886 (@1886_blog) July 20, 2015
Give Lee Nelson a statue https://t.co/Ccwv96SnC5
— Niko (@Nikomarvel) July 20, 2015
Hero to all football fans https://t.co/sDsh4ivghv
— Good Person (@Safeeyar) July 20, 2015
Say what you like about Lee Nelson but the man knows how to get famous.
— Hiten. (@HitenPatel13) July 20, 2015
How does Lee Nelson even get himself in these situations???
— ️️️️️ (@TOBINATOR_) July 20, 2015
lmao, Lee Nelson is my favourite person after this https://t.co/WYzkDrKo3e #SeppBlatter
— Shuj© (@ChocMilkSheikh) July 20, 2015
Lee Nelson: even men with steel hearts love to see a dog on the pitch
— Markoneinfour (@MarkOneinFour) July 20, 2015
Blatter and FIFA have come under heavy criticism and scrutiny after a series of scandal that has tarnished the organization and its leader’s image, the most recent and most public being the arrest of 7 officials in Zurich in relation with bribery allegations and the inquiry into the awarding of Russia and Qatar the World Cup hosting rights.
Sepp, in office since 1998, has not been accused or named in the aforementioned allegations, but has met with widespread condemnation and calls for his resignation after seeing FIFA’s name being dragged into mud.
The 79-year-old will step down as president, however, and announced in the news conference that elections will be held on February 26 of 2016.