FIFA: "Mandela, one of the greatest humanists of our time and a dear friend" (Joseph Blatter)

"It is in deep mourning that I pay my respects to an extraordinary person, probably one of the greatest humanists of our time and a dear friend of mine: Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela," said Joseph Blatter, President of FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association), after the death of the former President of the Republic of South Africa and Nobel Peace Prize winner, on the 05/12/2013.

"He and I shared an unwavering belief in the extraordinary power of football to unite people in peace and friendship, and to teach basic social and educational values as a school of life," said the president of the international Federation.

"When he was honoured and cheered by the crowd at Johannesburg’s Soccer City stadium (during the final of the 2010 World Cup between Spain and Holland, the last official appearance of Nelson Mandela) on the 11/07/2010, it was as a man of the people, a man of their hearts, and it was one of the most moving moments I have ever experienced. For him, the World Cup in South Africa truly was a dream come true. Nelson Mandela will stay in our hearts forever. The…