Embattled FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s first press conference since announcing his resignation last month ground to a halt Monday after a British comedian threw money at him.
Blatter’s resignation came as several FIFA officials face corruption charges and extradition to the U.S. While Blatter has long been suspected of aiding criminal schemes within FIFA’s upper ranks, he has never been charged with a crime. FIFA will hold a special leadership session on Feb. 26, 2016, to elect his replacement.
Blatter was answering questions about why he decided to resign and other topics when Simon Brodkin, in his soccer-player persona “Lee Nelson,” took the stage.
“Sepp, this is for North Korea in 2026,” Brodkin said, presenting Blatter with wads of money.
British comedian Lee Nelson throws cash at Sepp Blatter – press conference now delayed pic.twitter.com/rvZsSTw03f
— Anton Toloui (@SkyAnton) July 20, 2015
Brodkin’s stunt referenced FIFA’s controversial decision to award Qatar the 2022 World Cup. The decision has made headlines because of the number of people who have died during Qatar’s construction of World Cup stadiums.
Before police escorted Brodkin offstage, he threw the money at Blatter and assured the FIFA head that the money was “all there.”
The press conference was delayed for 10 minutes to clean up the mess. Once it resumed, Blatter revealed that he would like to become a journalist.
Brodkin’s stunt briefly had people thinking that the real Lee Nelson had confronted Blatter.
.@RealLeeNelson taken away by Swiss police following Fifa prank. pic.twitter.com/wgsKcXIXn1
— Richard Conway (@richard_conway) July 20, 2015
Excited to be at FIFA meeting Sepp Blatter to secure the #NorthKorea2026 World Cup. pic.twitter.com/7UV6spP8wc
— Jason Has Moved Page (@Jason9Bent) July 20, 2015
It was as Jason Bent, everyone, not Lee Nelson, please #LeeNelson #JasonBEnt #solidarity #couldhavebeenshot
— Al Murray – DKMS.ORG.UK 🇺🇦 (@almurray) July 20, 2015
Brodkin certainly made it rain, according to the Internet.
1st Kanye now Sepp. Chaos as comedian Simon Brodkin interrupts press conference & throws money at Blatter pic.twitter.com/kZduJILIud
— Dan Roan (@danroan) July 20, 2015
This is awesome, the first thing I thought of when I watched money rain on Sepp Blatter 😂 https://t.co/CEeCYype3I
— Zuma (@ZumaUK) July 20, 2015
https://twitter.com/WebbyAFC182/status/623152729582620672
Very impressed with Simon Brodkin's interjection at Sepp Blatter's press conference. Almost poetic
— Ian Stone ON TOUR 2024 (@iandstone) July 20, 2015
The inevitable “Make it Rain” parody didn’t take long.
https://vine.co/v/e65MrDmEq9J
This is nothing new for Brodkin. As Nelson, he took the stage at Glastonbury earlier this year during Kanye West’s set. As another of his characters, Jason Bent, he tried to join England’s World Cup team as they traveled for training. In both cases, he was unsuccessful.
Screengrab via Sky News/YouTube