Sepp Blatter 'offered Fifa role to Burundi president' Published duration 21 April 2016 Related Topics Burundi crisis

image copyright EPA/AFP image caption Sepp Blatter approached Pierre Nkurunziza about a year ago

Fifa ex-president Sepp Blatter says he was asked by the Swiss authorities to help ease Burundi's political crisis by offering the country's president a job.

In a new book, Mr Blatter says he offered keen football fan Pierre Nkurunziza an ambassadorial role in exchange for the leader stepping down.

Mr Nkurunziza declined and won a controversial third term in office.

The Swiss foreign ministry confirmed it sought Mr Blatter's help but denied seeking Mr Nkurunziza's resignation.

"The intention was to contribute to a peaceful solution in order to prevent the current crisis in Burundi," a statement said.

The approach to Mr Nkurunziza took place in May last year, shortly after the protests began against his attempt to win another term.

The Burundian leader is known for his love of football - he owns his own side, Hallelujah FC, and once coached a Burundian first division team.

In his book, Mr Blatter is quoted as saying: "I proposed to the president... if it could be an advantage for him or his country, Fifa could deploy him as an ambassador for football in Africa, or the world."

image copyright Reuters image caption Mr Nkurunziza was photographed playing football as protests grew against him last year

But Mr Nkurunziza said no and was instead re-elected in a poll boycotted by the main opposition parties, who saw the bid as illegal.

Months of unrest have followed, with more than 400 people killed and tens of thousands fleeing the country.

Mr Nkurunziza's office told the BBC the Burundian president had been approached by Mr Blatter, and that the then-Fifa chief was being used by powerful Western nations, without naming them.

Mr Blatter resigned as boss of football's world governing body Fifa last year with the organisation mired in corruption allegations.

He has since been given a six-year ban from football by Fifa for ethics violations.

Timeline: Chaos in Burundi

image copyright Reuters image caption Burundi saw violent unrest after Mr Nkurunziza announced he would pursue a third term