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Man behind the headlines revealed

With the 2006 FIFA World Cup football final just round the corner, CNN goes behind the scenes to focus on one of the most powerful men this game has seen.

In CNN's programme "Revealed", to be aired on July 8, 9 and 10, FIFA president Sepp Blatter will take viewers on a frantic journey and disclose his highs and lows in the run-up to the World Cup final.

On July 9, an anticipated global audience of more than one billion in 213 countries will watch Mr. Blatter hand over the coveted trophy to the winners of the FIFA World Cup. Paradoxically, this 70-year-old Swiss official was once told by his father that he would never earn a living from football, yet he now finds himself in the seat of power.

The programme shows Mr. Blatter in his hectic schedules in the months and weeks leading up to the 2006 World Cup.

With an exclusive and in-depth access to the president of the international football organisation, viewers can understand how the World Cup represents the most hectic period in Mr. Blatter's professional life. But as a former footballer and sports reporter, the tournament also represents his greatest joy.

The first encounter with Mr. Blatter will see him addressing international football journalists at FIFA headquarters in Zurich. A wide array of World Cup issues are dealt with, ranging from combating racism, refereeing, corruption and, of course, the question as to who will win football's greatest prize. Mr. Blatter shifts easily in such situations from English to French, German, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian.

"Revealed" follows Mr. Blatter to FIFA's smart new building where viewers can see him in a candid and open mood as he cracks jokes over the World Cup stored in the corner of the room, "I never tell anyone whether this is the real World Cup or a replica because of the insurance," the president quips.

The programme presents the man behind the headlines as he prepares for the ultimate show of football brilliance on the world stage. -- Staff Reporter

-- Staff Reporter

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