Blatter wants to reinstate Egyptian leaders

ASUNCION, Paraguay - FIFA President Sepp Blatter criticized the dismissal of Egypt's federation leaders, calling the move "direct interference" by the Cairo government in soccer matters.

Blatter says he will seek to have the officials reinstated.

Blatter spoke yesterday in the Paraguay capital, where he attended a special congress of South American soccer officials aimed at toughening rules against government intervention in the sport in the region.

The president of Egypt's soccer federation and his board of directors resigned Saturday, having already been dismissed by the country's prime minister following a riot at a game that left more than 70 dead.