Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has launched an extraordinary attack on his successor Gianni Infantino, describing him as a “dictator” and suggesting he may need to be admitted to a psychiatric clinic.
Blatter, 90, made the comments in an interview with German magazine Der Spiegel published on Wednesday. He criticised Infantino’s leadership of FIFA, including the decision to give a peace prize to United States president Donald Trump, plans to sell future World Cup commercial rights and the way the organisation is run.
“FIFA is suffering,” Blatter said in comments reported by French broadcaster France 24. “It is currently led by someone who has allowed himself to become blinded.”
‘A dictator above the law’
Blatter strongly objected to the creation of FIFA’s peace prize and its presentation to Trump before the World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“Why does he do something like that?” Blatter said. “Infantino gives a peace prize to someone who declares war on Iran shortly afterwards? This is madness.”
He said such decisions damaged FIFA’s image and drew the governing body into political disputes rather than keeping it focused on sport.
Blatter also accused Infantino of ruling FIFA with an iron hand.
“He is a dictator,” he said. “FIFA officials tell me he does not allow anyone to ride in the lift with him… he is above the law.”
Blatter claimed Infantino could secure support from national football associations for his re-election by offering them increased funding.
“He tells them: ‘If you vote for me, you will get much more money than you would have received before,’” Blatter said.
World Cup plans and Balogun suspension
Blatter criticised Infantino’s plans to sell part of the World Cup’s commercial rights after the tournament. Those plans were later cancelled following an angry reaction.
“Infantino no longer knows any limits. He understands nothing about this,” Blatter said.
“I think perhaps one day Infantino should be admitted to a psychiatric clinic,” he added.
He also condemned FIFA’s decision to suspend the red card shown to United States striker Folarin Balogun after intervention by Trump before a decisive World Cup match this summer.
“The red card was the worst thing that could be done,” Blatter said. “The laws can be interpreted, but the rules of the game must apply to everyone and cannot be interpreted.”
FIFA told Agence France-Presse that it stood by an earlier response to Der Spiegel, rejecting Blatter’s allegations. It said Infantino was “performing his duties as president through his travels” and that Balogun’s suspension had been lifted by FIFA’s independent judicial bodies.
“Mr Infantino does indeed use the FIFA lift, but he does so with other people,” FIFA added.
Blatter resigned as FIFA president in 2015 amid corruption allegations, but was acquitted in two trials. FIFA’s ethics committee has nevertheless banned him from football-related activity.
He said he had “no regrets” about his time in office and revealed he had not spoken to Infantino since early 2016.
Japanese official Kozo Tashima has announced plans to stand against Infantino, while Blatter backed World Athletics president Sebastian Coe.
“The important thing is not who stands, but that the current president is not elected,” Blatter said.
