FIFA president Sepp Blatter writes to Boston mayor after marathon

Sepp Blatter wrote "my immediate thoughts and sympathies go out to the victims and their families.''

Franklin Reyes/AP

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has written to the mayor of Boston expressing "distress at the cruel bombings'' at the city's marathon.

Blatter wrote to Thomas M. Menino condemning the "cowardly actions, which are not only an attack on the citizens of Boston, but also on sport itself and its ethics of discipline, respect and fair play.''

FIFA published excerpts of the letter - also sent to Thomas Grilk, the executive director of the Boston Athletic Commission - on its website Wednesday.

Two bombs exploded near the finish line of Monday's race, killing three people and wounding more than 170.

Blatter wrote that "my immediate thoughts and sympathies go out to the victims and their families.''