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Sepp Blatter criticizes FIFA leader Gianni Infantino as dictator

Key Points
  • Sepp Blatter criticized FIFA president Gianni Infantino as ruling like a 'sun king' and called FIFA a dictatorship.
  • Blatter reportedly claimed Infantino does not want to be greeted at FIFA headquarters and questioned the FIFA peace prize for Donald Trump.
  • Blatter was FIFA president for 17 years, forced out after scandals, and cleared of corruption charges last year with Michel Platini.

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has criticized his successor Gianni Infantino in an interview with German newspaper Bild. Blatter, who led FIFA for 17 years before being forced out after scandals and was cleared of corruption charges last year along with former UEFA president Michel Platini, reportedly described Infantino as ruling like a 'sun king' (Ludwig XIV). He claimed that power in the organization is strongly concentrated in one person, stating that FIFA today consists only of the president and is a dictatorship where the board has no say.

According to Blatter, he has heard from people within FIFA that Infantino does not want to be greeted when he appears at the headquarters. S. president Donald Trump, saying it is incomprehensible and that Infantino flatters Trump because he needs him.

FIFA today consists only of the president

Sepp Blatter, Former FIFA president

Infantino has been president of the international football federation since 2016.

It is a dictatorship where the board has no say

Sepp Blatter, Former FIFA president

It is incomprehensible

Sepp Blatter, Former FIFA president

Infantino flatters Trump because he needs him

Sepp Blatter, Former FIFA president

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