German Chancellor Angela Merkel has awarded the country’s Grand Cross of the Order Merit to FIFA president Sepp Blatter for his role in the FIFA World Cup™.

Blatter said he was “moved” by the award which he said he was receiving on behalf of all members of the football’s world governing body.

“But the honour really belongs to Germany,” he added.

Merkel used the opportunity to wish Italy and France luck ahead of the final in Berlin on Sunday and to congratulate the German team for reaching the semi-finals.

“The whole country is behind this team,” she said.

The chancellor thanked German coach Jurgen Klinsmann for doing a “fantastic job”.

There have been calls for Klinsmann to be awarded the Grand Cross for leading a youthful German side into the last four of the championship.

Source: WCoffsite