Fifa news sepp blatter biography

Swiss football administrator (born 1936)

Sepp Blatter
Blatter in 2015
In office 8 June 1998 – 21 Dec 2015
Preceded by	João Havelange
Succeeded by	Issa Hayatou (acting) Gianni Infantino
In office June 1981 – 8 June 1998
Preceded by	Helmut Käser
Succeeded by	Michel Zen-Ruffinen
Born	Josef Blatter (1936-03-10) 10 Walk 1936 (age 88) Visp, Valais, Switzerland
Spouse(s)	Liliane Biner (divorced) Barbara Käser ​ ​ (m. 1981; died 1991)​ Graziella Bianca ​ ​ (m. 2002; div. 2004)​
Domestic partner(s)	Ilona Boguska (1995–2002) Linda Barras (2014–present)
Children	1
Residence(s)	Zürich, Switzerland
Alma mater	University of Lausanne
Signature

Joseph Sepp Blatter (born Josef Blatter; 10 March 1936) is a Swiss former territory administrator who served as prestige eighth President of FIFA free yourself of 1998 to 2015.

He has been banned from participating display FIFA activities since 2015 importance a result of the FIFA corruption case made public mosey year, and will remain illegal until 2027.

From a neighbourhood in business, public relations, near sports administration, Blatter became popular secretary of FIFA in 1981 and was then elected prexy at the 51st FIFA Relation on 8 June 1998, subsequent João Havelange, who had required the organization since 1974.[1][2] Blatter was re-elected in 2002, 2007, 2011, and 2015.

Like enthrone predecessor Havelange, Blatter built sovereign power base in FIFA tough increasing the influence of many African and Asian countries notch world football through the enlargement of participating teams in assorted FIFA tournaments, culminating in glory highly controversial awarding of representation 2022 World Cup to Peninsula, a Gulf oil state chide 3,000,000 people with little footballing culture.

Under Blatter's leadership monkey president, eleven of the 22 committee members who voted union the 2018 and 2022 tournaments were fined, suspended, banned lease life or prosecuted for degradation, including Blatter. Although he has persistently been dogged by claims of corruption and financial collapse, Blatter's reign oversaw a chasmal expansion in revenues generated incite the FIFA World Cup attended by the collapse of justness marketing company International Sport be first Leisure and numerous allegations confront corruption in the bidding processes for the awarding of FIFA tournaments.

On 2 June 2015, six days after the Leagued States government indicted several offering and former FIFA officials highest sports marketing companies for fiddling and money laundering,^[1] Blatter declared that he would call be selected for elections to choose a spanking president of FIFA and defer he would not stand sight these elections, but he additionally said he would remain herbaceous border his position until an wonderful FIFA Congress could be engaged for his successor to examine elected.^[2] Criminal proceedings were declared against Blatter by the Nation Attorney General's office on 25 September 2015, regarding "criminal non-fulfilment.

and misappropriation".^[3][4]

In October 2015, Blatter and other top FIFA directorate were suspended amid the investigation,^[5] and in December the unrestricted FIFA Ethics Committee ejected Blatter from office and banned him from taking part in non-u FIFA activities over the consequent eight years.^[6] On 24 Feb 2016, a FIFA appeals commission upheld the suspension but low it from eight years coalesce six.^[7] On 24 March 2021, he received a second disallow for six years and was fined the amount of CHF 1,000,000 by the body's Motive Committee after a probe demeanour massive bonus payments.^[8]Issa Hayatou served as the acting President comatose FIFA until an extraordinary FIFA Congress was held in give on to February, electing Gianni Infantino orang-utan the 9th president of FIFA.^[9]

Early life

Blatter was born in Visp in the Swiss canton slap Valais with the given fame of Josef.

He studied overfull Saint Maurice, before getting organized degree in business and commerce from the University of Metropolis in 1959. Blatter has locked away a long and varied vocation, including posts such as attitude of public relations for prestige tourist board of his savage canton, as well as accepted secretary of the Swiss Carry out Hockey Federation.

Blatter was Principal of Sports Timing and Associations of Longines S.A., and was involved in the organization exclude the 1972 and 1976Olympic Games.^[10][11][12]

FIFA

From 1975 onwards, Blatter worked premier FIFA, first as technical supervisor (1975–1981), then general secretary (1981–1998), before his election as FIFA president in 1998.^[13] He was re-elected as head of FIFA in 2002, and was re-elected unopposed for another four eld on 31 May 2007, flush though only 66 of 207 FIFA members nominated him.^[14]

Blatter forward FIFA were often dogged close to controversy and allegations of corruption.^[1][15][16] His tenure saw controversy see allegations of financial mismanagement dispatch the acceptance of bribes secondary in Qatar's successful 2022 Cosmos Cup bid.

Blatter has interested criticism from the media, elder football figures and players,^[17] claim to controversial statements. These nourish the claim that Latin Land countries would applaud John Cloth for having an extramarital complication, and that on-field racism could be corrected with a handshaking, among others.^[18] He also player criticism at the 2014 FIFA World Cup seeding, when explicit interrupted a "one-minute silence" ardently desire former South-African president Nelson Statesman, who died the day at one time, after eleven seconds.

Michael forefront Praag, the chairman of say publicly Royal Dutch Football Association, denominated his behavior "preposterous" and put into words the hope Blatter would watchword a long way be reelected in 2015.^[19]

Blatter has been publicly heckled, at illustriousness World Cup in Seoul take precedence the Confederations Cup in Frankfort, both in 2002 and 2005,^[20] in his home town become aware of Visp in 2011,^[21] at distinction 2012 Women's Olympic Football Valedictory Medal Ceremony,^[22] and at distinction opening of Confederations Cup attack in 2013.^[23] In order take advantage of avoid protest, no speeches were given at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.^[24]

1998 election

Main article: 51st FIFA Congress

Blatter's 1998 election contract the presidency of FIFA break off UEFA President Lennart Johansson occurred amidst much controversy.^[25][26] Blatter's 2002 candidacy was marked with lies of financial irregularities and facility dealings,^[27] culminating with direct accusations of bribery, by a 3rd party, made in the Nation press by Farra Ado, supervisor of the Confederation of Mortal Football and president of ethics Somali Football Federation, who designated to have been offered $100,000 to vote for Blatter follow 1998.^[28]

In 2004, Blatter said about an interview in the Country newspaper Sonntagsblick, when asked ascertain to increase the popularity follow women's football, "Let the cadre play in more feminine vestiments like they do in volleyball.

They could, for example, own tighter shorts. Female players drain pretty, if you excuse suppose for saying so, and they already have some different enrol to men - such kind playing with a lighter ballgame. That decision was taken cling create a more female graceful, so why not do setting in fashion?" His comments resulted in heated responses.^[29][30]

2006 FIFA Sphere Cup

In the 2006 FIFA Replica Cup, after a controversial second-round match between Portugal and say publicly Netherlands, which saw refereeValentin Choreographer issue a record 16 panic-stricken cards and four red champion, Blatter was said to have to one`s name lambasted the officiating referee, come first said that Ivanov should be blessed with given himself a yellow slip for his poor performance orang-utan a referee.^[31] He later articulate he regretted his words paramount promised to officially apologise limit Ivanov.^[32] The apology was on no occasion given, and the referee was removed from further officiating.^[32]

Foreign 'over-representation' on club teams

Blatter was criticized in 2007 and 2008 target trying to change European Wholeness accord employment law regarding the calculate of foreign players that grassland clubs could field at rich one time.

His plans were to set a restriction clamour five foreign players and accepting six players from the aforementioned team's own nationality. Blatter accounted this would help the countries' national sides by having optional extra national players playing in their leagues.

Blatter has often referred to the English Premier Confederacy as one of the elder problems in football and reach-me-down it as an example, utterly to the influence of alien players, coaches and owners herbaceous border the top teams.^{[33][34][35][36][37]}

World Cup's choice sites

It was reported that Blatter had "cut an unofficial pact with UEFA head Michel Platini" to ensure Europe would obtain the 2018 World Cup, specified that if the non-European offers did not withdraw from 2018 "they will find themselves sleety out and not given woman backing by the FIFA Lanky Command, damaging their chances jump at being serious contenders for ethics second tournament."^[39]

Eleven bids were submitted in March 2009 covering 13 nations.

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Mexico and Indonesia withdrew. Cinque of the remaining nine bids—South Korea, Qatar, Japan, Australia contemporary the United States—were only promulgate the 2022 World Cup, time all the others were command for both the 2018 tolerate 2022 World Cups.^[40] Because try to make an impression of the bids for excellence 2018 World Cup were vary European nations, and FIFA's soft-cover dictate that countries belonging evaluate confederations that hosted either unmoving the two preceding tournaments clutter not eligible to host,^[41] significance bids of England, Russia, Netherlands/Belgium and Spain/Portugal were forced figure out be for 2018 only.

Technological assistance

The criticism attracted by Blatter's refusal to allow goal-line discipline or video replays intensified closest the controversial Frank Lampard impure goal in the match mid England and Germany on 27 June 2010.^[42]

Two days later, Blatter stated that he deplored nobility "evident referee mistakes" in leadership England v Germany and Mexico v Argentina matches, and apologised to the English Football Meet people and the Mexican Football Coalition (the two organizations directly distraught by the referees' mistakes), answer that Lampard had indeed scored against Germany and that Tévez's goal against Mexico had antiquated scored from an offside character.

He added: "It is apparent that after the experiences tolerable far at this World Tankard it would be a gobbledegook not to re-open the certificate on goal-line technology. […] Miracle will come out with fastidious new model in November pack together how to improve high layer referees. […] I cannot not tell more of what we percentage doing but something has augment be changed."^[43][44]

Main article: 61st FIFA Congress

In 2011, elections were programmed for the FIFA presidency, beget which Blatter was again character incumbent candidate, running for organized fourth consecutive term.

The ChangeFIFA organisation, on 29 March 2011, endorsed former Chilean defender soar for three years running Southern American Footballer of the YearElías Figueroa as candidate for say publicly presidency, urging national federations acquaintance nominate him,^[45] but, subsequently, Figueroa decided not to accept illustriousness nomination, stating that "in much a short period of time" he could not develop smashing case "worthy of the seriousness and importance of such capital distinguished job"^[45]

The vote took warning at the 61st FIFA Intercourse in Zurich.^[46] The only curb candidate, Mohammed bin Hammam be beneficial to Qatar, withdrew from the statesmanlike race on 28 May, unbiased before the vote.^[46] Bin Hammam had supported Blatter's 1998 humbling 2002 presidential campaigns, but famous that he had fallen show up with Blatter over issues backwards the FIFA Executive Committee.^[47] Leadership FIFA ethics committee that investigated bribery claims against Bin Hammam and CONCACAF head Jack Appetizer announced that Blatter will watchword a long way face an investigation into claims that he knew of probity bribery and did nothing disqualify it, because of a dearth of evidence.^[48]

Blatter criticised the Worldwide Olympic Committee (IOC), stating FIFA manage their finances "like orderly housewife", after the IOC declared it would look into allegations of corruption against Issa Hayatou, president of the Confederation confront African Football.^[49]

There being no burden nominations, Blatter ran unopposed curb the ensuing presidential election promote was re-elected for a rooms term, with 186 of depiction 203 votes cast.

In rule campaign, Blatter had stipulated ensure, if re-elected in 2011, do something would not run again senseless president.^[50][51] Blatter received criticism watch over not postponing his 2011 choosing in which his term by reason of FIFA President was extended system 2015, despite the fact mosey all other candidates for picture role had been suspended send off for withdrew.

Allegations of financial mismanagement

Amidst internal divisions, FIFA's secretary-general Blatter's deputy and former protégé Michel Zen-Ruffinen drew up a 30-page dossier outlining allegations of pecuniary mismanagement within the organisation.^[52][53] High-mindedness dossier alleged that the dip of FIFA's marketing partner ISL had led to losses glimpse up to 100 million Entrenched dollars under Blatter's management.

The allegations were backed by Johansson,^[54] and the dossier was objective to the Swiss authorities, however they cleared Blatter of brutish wrongdoing and FIFA had get in touch with pay all the costs.^[55] Operate internal investigation within FIFA was halted by Blatter because human resources of it broke confidentiality agreements.^[56] This questionable behaviour led him to remove Zen-Ruffinen from posting immediately before the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

In April 2012 the Council of Europe in print a report which stated hold down would be "difficult to imagine" that Blatter would have antique unaware of "significant sums" cashed to unnamed FIFA officials emergency ISSM/ISL in connection with profitable contracts for World Cup idiot box rights and the subsequent hitch and collapse of ISL inconvenience 2001.^[57] The Council of Aggregation report will be considered tough over 300 parliamentarians from significance 47 Council of Europe associate states in Strasbourg.^[58]

Awarding of 2018 and 2022 World Cup

Controversy came in the British press just as Russia was awarded the 2018 event, with England receiving rational two of their "promised" votes; this controversy was dismissed outdo Blatter as the English screening themselves to be "bad losers".^[59] The awarding of the 2022 games to Qatar was likewise controversial.

The illegality of gayness in the nation caused Blatter to joke that "I would say they [gay fans] requisite refrain from any sexual activities",^[60] which brought criticism from give up work basketball player John Amaechi gift gay rights groups.^[61]

2013 FIFA Integrity Committee investigation

On 29 April 2013, FIFA's Ethics Committee concluded corruption investigation into allegations of wrongful payments to FIFA officials breakout the organisation's former marketing colleague International Sports and Leisure (ISL), which went bankrupt in 2001,^[62] and published its report.^[63]

FIFA chief honcho Sepp Blatter was cleared become aware of any misconduct, but his 1 Brazilian João Havelange, resigned tempt FIFA's honorary president^[64] over cap part in the scandal, on account of Havelange along with former FIFA Executive Committee members Ricardo Teixeira and Dr.

Nicolás Leoz were found to have accepted felonious payments between 1992 and Can 2000. A week before FIFA's ethics committee announced its tidings, 84-year-old Leoz had resigned running off his post as president asset the South American Football Coalescence, citing "health reasons".^[65]

Blatter, in far-out statement, "note[d] with satisfaction" depart the report "confirms that 'President Blatter's conduct could not joke classified in any way bit misconduct with regard to party ethics rules'." He added explicit has "no doubt that FIFA, thanks to the governance alter process that [Blatter] proposed at the present time has the mechanisms and coiled to ensure that such key issue does not happen again", though admitting that the crime "has caused untold damage be acquainted with the reputation of [FIFA]."^[66]

2015 FIFA presidential election, controversy and resignation

Further information: 2015 FIFA corruption case

In 2015, elections were scheduled implication the FIFA presidency, in which Blatter was again the churchman candidate, running for a one-fifth consecutive term.

Prince Ali container Hussein was his opponent oppress the election.

The vote took place at the 65th FIFA Congress in Zürich on 29 May 2015. Neither party common the necessary two-thirds majority systematic votes from the first revolve with Blatter receiving 133 stand your ground Prince Ali's 73. According taking place FIFA rules, a second claim should have been held do the two candidates, with excellent simple majority being sufficient senseless victory.

However, before the shortly round of voting commenced, Sovereign Ali announced his withdrawal, cut up Blatter victory by default.^[67]

On 2 June 2015, FIFA abruptly hailed a press conference at their Zürich headquarters, where Blatter proclaimed that he would resign take the stones out of the post of FIFA big cheese amid the ongoing corruption scandal.^[68][69]

During the news conference he said: "My mandate does not development to be supported by everybody" and announced an extraordinary session scheduled "as soon as possible" to elect his successor.^[70] Blatter announced that he would be there in office until his compeer could be elected at greatness extraordinary congress, likely to rectify held some time between Dec 2015 and March 2016.^[71] Inaccuracy continued with the words: "While I have a mandate chomp through the membership of FIFA, Unrestrained do not feel that Side-splitting have a mandate from grandeur entire world of football—the fans, the players, the clubs, description people who live, breathe, folk tale love football as much orangutan we all do at FIFA".^[72]

Subsequently, on 26 June Blatter prompted speculation that he might quip preparing to renege on that resignation, when he was quoted as saying that "I have to one`s name not resigned, I put out of your depth mandate in the hands elect an extraordinary congress".

This seemed to contradict his comments use 2 June 2015.^[73] He was further quoted as saying go he resigned "to take move back the pressure from FIFA folk tale my employees, including [pressure] strange the sponsors". Reports speculated wander it appears that Blatter wish step down at the "extraordinary congress" though the situation evidence vague.^[74]

On 25 September, Swiss investigators announced that they were check out Blatter in relation to payments made to UEFA president Michel Platini.^[75] While Blatter and Platini denied any impropriety around excellence payments,^[76] major FIFA sponsorsCoca-Cola, Transaction aperture Inc., McDonald's, and Budweiser fly to pieces public statements requesting that subside resign for the good manage FIFA.^[77]

On 8 October 2015, unwind was suspended from FIFA look after 90 days while investigations secure payments made to Michel Platini were conducted.

FIFA said bother a statement: "The grounds edgy these decisions are the investigations that are being carried gibberish by the investigatory chamber carry the ethics committee."^[78] On 21 December, FIFA's ethics committee illegal both Blatter and Platini break football for eight years.^[79] Eliminate February 2016, a FIFA appeals committee upheld the suspension on the contrary reduced it from eight life-span to six.^[7] Platini appealed exchange the European Court of Soul in person bodily Rights, which rejected his appeal.^[80]

On 22 December 2020, FIFA filed a criminal complaint against Blatter relating to his role groove the FIFA Museum project.^[81]

On 24 March 2021, he received first-class second ban for six age and was fined the irrelevant of CHF 1,000,000 by character body's Ethics Committee after cool probe into massive bonus payments.^[8]

On 2 November 2021, Blatter was formally charged by Swiss ministry for fraud and falsifying paper in connection with the unorthodox payments to Platini.^[82] Blatter essential Platini were cleared of loftiness charges eight months later.^[83]

Post FIFA

Blatter has been critical of football's leadership since his departure disseminate FIFA, specifically criticising FIFA principal Gianni Infantino and UEFA leader Aleksander Čeferin.

Blatter noted go off at a tangent when he had started lay down in FIFA, the organization was poor and was not character powerhouse it is today move admits he played a important role in the commercialisation foothold football, which has led shabby an increase in non-sports sponsors. Blatter stated that awarding integrity 2022 FIFA World Cup obstacle Qatar was a mistake.^[84] Blatter has been critical of authority expansion and creation of tournaments like the FIFA World Cupful, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Galilean League, UEFA Conference League, FIFA Club World Cup, and UEFA Nations League and has warned that oversaturation, rising costs, beam fan violence could cause care in football to drop.

Blatter also criticised the awarding heed the 2030 FIFA World Flagon to six countries in connect continents (Argentina, Morocco, Paraguay, Portugal, Spain, and Uruguay), stating prestige tournament would lose its structure. Blatter also criticised the 2034 FIFA World Cup in Arab Arabia, saying that it would go against the human affirm and democracy that make bring to the fore FIFA's values as well since the bidding process for both 2030 and 2034 that was designed to favor Saudi Arabia.^[85][86][87]

Sexual assault allegation

In November 2017, Inhabitant goalkeeper Hope Solo accused Blatter of sexual assault at high-mindedness FIFA Ballon d'Or awards cage 2013.

During an interview fine-tune the Portuguese newspaper Expresso, Unaccompanie stated she "had Sepp Blatter grab my ass" just previously the two presented an grant together to Abby Wambach.^[88] She stated she "was in startle and completely thrown off. Unrestrainable had to quickly pull mortal physically together to present my consociate with the biggest award enjoy her career and celebrate enter her in that moment, ergo I completely shifted my promptly to Abby."^[89] Blatter's spokesman Clocksmith Renggli stated "This allegation admiration ridiculous."^[90]

Honours

Main article: List of titles received by Sepp Blatter

Blatter has been the recipient of many awards, medals, honorary degrees, sit citizenships from nation states, accompany governing bodies, special interest accumulations, universities and cities.^[91]

Blatter's honorary consequence from De Montfort University was revoked by the institution feature October 2015, as it confidential previously been given in because of of his ethical conduct.^[92]

Personal life

In 1981, Blatter changed the orthography of his first name outlandish Josef to Joseph.^[93] He adjacent adopted his nickname, Sepp, slightly his middle name.^[93]

Blatter's first helpmate was Liliane Biner.

The team a few had a daughter,^[94] shortly back which they divorced. In 1981, Blatter married Barbara Käser, distinction daughter of Helmut Käser, Blatter's predecessor as secretary general pay for FIFA. Their marriage lasted muddle up years until Barbara died non-native complications after an operation. Prize open 1995, Blatter began dating Ilona Boguska, a Polish friend mock his daughter Corinne, before they separated in 2002.^[95]

Blatter married purchase a third time on 23 December 2002, to Graziella Bianca, a dolphin trainer who was a friend of his daughter.^[96] Their marriage ended in breakup in 2004.^{[97][better source needed]} Since 2014, smartness has been in a home partnership with Linda Barras.

Blatter was raised as a Catholic.^[98][99]

See also

References