ZURICH (AP) — Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter says he was asked by Switzerland's foreign ministry last year to help persuade an African president to leave office.
Blatter says in his new book that he offered Burundi president Pierre Nkurunziza an ambassador's role in world soccer as the nation fell into violent turmoil.
Blatter's intervention was supported by the United States, he says in "Sepp Blatter: Mission and Passion Football," which was launched Thursday.
After Nkurunziza said last April he wanted an unconstitutional third presidential term, a bloody military coup failed to remove him. Blatter says his offer to Nkurunziza was rejected. Nkurunziza then won a disputed election in July.
The Swiss ministry did not immediately confirm Blatter's claim.
Blatter's picture-led book reflects on his 41 years at scandal-hit FIFA.
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