The head of football's world governing body Sepp Blatter deserves a Nobel Prize, says Russian president Vladimir Putin.
FIFA's engulfed in a corruption crisis, including an investigation into the awarding of the 2018 World Cup to Russia.
"People like Mr Blatter or the heads of big international sporting federations, or the Olympic Games, deserve special recognition," said Putin.
"If there is anyone who deserves the Nobel Prize, it's those people."
Blatter announced last month that he would be stepping down following the arrest of seven Fifa officials as part of a United States investigation that saw 14 people indicted on corruption charges.
Dollar bills rain down on FIFA president Sepp Blatter, at a media conference in Zurich. A man posing as a journalist had thrown the money at him. Photo: Photosport
A separate criminal investigation by Swiss authorities into how the 2018 and 2022 World Cups were allocated is also under way.
Blatter, 79, has said he has a "clear conscience", and is planning to remain in office until Fifa holds an extraordinary congress to elect his successor next February.
"We all know the situation developing around Mr Blatter right now," added Putin in an interview with Swiss television.
"I don't want to go into details but I don't believe a word about him being involved in corruption personally," said Putin.
-BBC