A British comedian disrupted a news conference by Sepp Blatter on Monday morning when he threw a handful of what appeared to be fake money bills over the FIFA president.

Simon Brodkin, also known as his alter ego Lee Nelson, had no trouble approaching Blatter, who was holding his first news conference since announcing June 2 his plans to step down.

“This is for North Korea 2026,” Brodkin deadpanned as he placed a stack of money in front of Blatter. “Thank you very much. As a North Korean football ambassador, I’m delighted that I’ve been able to seal the deal with FIFA and North Korea for the 2026 World Cup. It makes sense for everyone.”

Before security ushered him out of the auditorium at FIFA headquarters, Brodkin lofted another stack of bills into the air above Blatter.


“Here we go Sepp. Thank you. Cheers Sepp,” said Brodkin, who had similarly tried disrupting a Kanye West performance at the Glastonbury festival last month. “It’s all there, as discussed. Thank you. Good doing business.”

As a demonstration, Brodkin’s action was quite effective, with money raining over an official who plans to step down in the midst of a massive corruption scandal.

Blatter moved to a podium off to the side and announced that the news conference would be delayed for a few minutes.

“We have to clean here first, otherwise I will not be able to speak to you, ladies and gentlemen, about football,” said Blatter, whose replacement will be elected on Feb. 26. “This has nothing to do with football.”


A spokesman for Zurich City Police Department said of Brodkin on Tuesdeay: “We arrested this man and he was interrogated and released yesterday. He will be charged for trespassing because he wasn’t allowed to enter the building.

“If there will be a trial is still to be decided by the prosecutor. Trespassing is in Switzerland just prosecuted by request like other minor crimes.”

Brodkin, as one of his characters known as Jason Bent, found the time Monday to tweet a photo of the incident with the caption, “Excited to be at FIFA meeting Sepp Blatter to secure the #NorthKorea2026 World Cup.”

Twitter: @chewkiii