Blatter calls for answers over doping investigation

ZURICH, May 15 (Reuters) FIFA president Sepp Blatter has asked the Spanish authorities involved in the Operation Puerto doping investigation to formally state whether any soccer players were implicated in the case.

Speaking at a media briefing at FIFA's headquarters in Zurich today, Blatter said he had sought written clarification from the Spanish government at a meeting hosted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in Montreal last weekend.

''We know that cycling is a part of this investigation but we want to know who else is involved,'' said Blatter, who attended the Montreal meeting in his role as a member of the International Olympic Committee.

''We want the case to be re-opened even if there is the risk that it could concern football players. We have been told that this may in fact not be the case but if so then we have asked that we have it confirmed in writing.'' Operation Puerto was launched after police raids in Madrid and Zaragoza last May found large quantities of anabolic steroids, blood transfusion equipment and more than 200 bags of frozen blood.

The subsequent Spanish government-backed probe was dropped in March with no charges brought after the investigating judge concluded there was insufficient evidence to prosecute for the criminal offence of endangering the public health.

Spain's state prosecutor has formally appealed for the re-opening of the case.

Reuters BJR DB1812