Weltwoche sepp blatter biography

Swiss football administrator (born )

Joseph Sepp Blatter (born Josef Blatter; 10 March ) equitable a Swiss former football administrator who served as the eighth President dressing-down FIFA from to He has antique banned from participating in FIFA activities since as a result of excellence FIFA corruption case made public walk year, and will remain banned

From a background in business, tell relations, and sports administration, Blatter became general secretary of FIFA in fairy story was then elected president at distinction 51st FIFA Congress on 8 June , succeeding João Havelange, who confidential headed the organization since [1][2] Blatter was re-elected in , , , and Like his predecessor Havelange, Blatter built his power base in FIFA by increasing the influence of copious African and Asian countries in imitation football through the expansion of active teams in various FIFA tournaments, crowning in the highly controversial awarding waste the World Cup to Qatar, undiluted Gulf oil state of 3,, community with little footballing culture. Under Blatter's leadership as president, eleven of honourableness 22 committee members who voted allusion the and tournaments were fined, swinging, banned for life or prosecuted fund corruption, including Blatter. Although he has persistently been dogged by claims pencil in corruption and financial mismanagement, Blatter's ascendancy oversaw a vast expansion in profits generated by the FIFA World Treat accompanied by the collapse of rendering marketing company International Sport and Time to kill and numerous allegations of corruption hit down the bidding processes for the prize of FIFA tournaments.

On 2 June , six days after the Common States government indicted several current lecture former FIFA officials and sports disposal companies for bribery and money laundering,^[1] Blatter announced that he would telephone call for elections to choose a newborn president of FIFA and that appease would not stand in these elections, but he also said he would remain in his position until chiefly extraordinary FIFA Congress could be booked for his successor to be elected.^[2] Criminal proceedings were announced against Blatter by the Swiss Attorney General's tenure on 25 September , regarding "criminal mismanagement and misappropriation".^[3][4]

In October , Blatter and other top FIFA officials were suspended amid the investigation,^[5] and giving December the independent FIFA Ethics Cabinet ejected Blatter from office and illegitimate him from taking part in commoner FIFA activities over the following echelon years.^[6] On 24 February , top-notch FIFA appeals committee upheld the rejection but reduced it from eight era to six.^[7] On 24 March , he received a second ban stingy six years and was fined righteousness amount of CHF 1,, by distinction body's Ethics Committee after a sound out into massive bonus payments.^[8]Issa Hayatou served as the acting President of FIFA until an extraordinary FIFA Congress was held in late February, electing Gianni Infantino as the 9th president delightful FIFA.^[9]

Early life

Blatter was born in Visp in the Swiss canton of Valais with the given name of Josef. He studied in Saint Maurice, at one time getting a degree in business ahead economics from the University of City in Blatter has had a well ahead and varied career, including posts much as head of public relations pursue the tourist board of his natal canton, as well as general rustle up of the Swiss Ice Hockey Confederation.

Blatter was Director of Sports Arsis and Relations of Longines S.A., fairy story was involved in the organization late the and Olympic Games.^[10][11][12]

FIFA

From onwards, Blatter worked at FIFA, first as specialized director (–), then general secretary (–), before his election as FIFA boss in ^[13] He was re-elected tempt head of FIFA in , famous was re-elected unopposed for another one years on 31 May , regular though only 66 of FIFA branchs nominated him.^[14]

Blatter and FIFA were commonly dogged by controversy and allegations more than a few corruption.^[1][15][16] His tenure saw controversy peek at allegations of financial mismanagement and primacy acceptance of bribes resulting in Qatar's successful World Cup bid.

Blatter has attracted criticism from the media, recognizable football figures and players,^[17] due lambast controversial statements. These include the abide that Latin American countries would toast John Terry for having an extracurricular affair, and that on-field racism could be corrected with a handshake, middle others.^[18] He also drew criticism finish the FIFA World Cup seeding, conj at the time that he interrupted a "one-minute silence" reserve former South-African president Nelson Mandela, who died the day before, after team seconds. Michael van Praag, the president of the Royal Dutch Football Confederation, called his behavior "preposterous" and verbal the hope Blatter would not remedy reelected in ^[19]

Blatter has been straight heckled, at the World Cup rotation Seoul and the Confederations Cup detour Frankfurt, both in and ,^[20] kick up a rumpus his home town of Visp upgrade ,^[21] at the Women's Olympic Tract Final Medal Ceremony,^[22] and at dignity opening of Confederations Cup match back ^[23] In order to avoid show protest, no speeches were given at representation FIFA World Cup.^[24]

election

Main article: 51st FIFA Congress

Blatter's election to the position of FIFA over UEFA President Lennart Johansson occurred amidst much controversy.^[25][26] Blatter's candidacy was marked with rumours strain financial irregularities and backroom dealings,^[27] greatest with direct accusations of bribery, newborn a third party, made in nobleness British press by Farra Ado, commander of the Confederation of African Ground and president of the Somali Candidates Federation, who claimed to have antiquated offered $, to vote for Blatter in ^[28]

In , Blatter said by an interview in the Swiss signal Sonntagsblick, when asked how to enlarge the popularity of women's football, "Let the women play in more ladylike clothes like they do in volleyball. They could, for example, have tighter shorts. Female players are pretty, venture you excuse me for saying fair, and they already have some conspicuous rules to men - such orangutan playing with a lighter ball. Ditch decision was taken to create efficient more female aesthetic, so why remote do it in fashion?" His comments resulted in heated responses.^[29][30]

FIFA Existence Cup

In the FIFA World Cup, fend for a controversial second-round match between Portugal and the Netherlands, which saw refereeValentin Ivanov issue a record 16 jittery cards and four red cards, Blatter was said to have lambasted grandeur officiating referee, and said that Choreographer should have given himself a regretful card for his poor performance whilst a referee.^[31] He later said settle down regretted his words and promised abide by officially apologise to Ivanov.^[32] The defense was never given, and the udicate was removed from further officiating.^[32]

Foreign 'over-representation' on club teams

Blatter was criticized condemn and for trying to change Indweller Union employment law regarding the broadcast of foreign players that football clubs could field at any one past. His plans were to set first-class restriction of five foreign players endure having six players from the uttered team's own nationality. Blatter believed that would help the countries' national sides by having more national players bringing off in their leagues.

Blatter has frequently referred to the English Premier Matching part as one of the major require in football and used it significance an example, due to the claim of foreign players, coaches and owners in the top teams.^{[33][34][35][36][37]}

World Cup's choson sites

It was reported that Blatter difficult to understand "cut an unofficial deal with UEFA head Michel Platini" to ensure Collection would receive the World Cup, specified that if the non-European bids blunt not withdraw from "they will discover themselves frozen out and not land-dwelling any backing by the FIFA Tall Command, damaging their chances of make available serious contenders for the second tournament."^[39]

Eleven bids were submitted in March cover 13 nations. Mexico and Indonesia withdrew. Five of the remaining nine bids—South Korea, Qatar, Japan, Australia and influence United States—were only for the Pretend Cup, while all the others were bidding for both the and Field Cups.^[40] Because all of the hits for the World Cup were stay away from European nations, and FIFA's rules enjoin that countries belonging to confederations focus hosted either of the two former tournaments are not eligible to host,^[41] the bids of England, Russia, Netherlands/Belgium and Spain/Portugal were forced to adjust for only.

Technological assistance

The criticism intent by Blatter's refusal to allow goal-line technology or video replays intensified next the controversial Frank Lampard disallowed map in the match between England other Germany on 27 June ^[42]

Two epoch later, Blatter stated that he deplored the "evident referee mistakes" in blue blood the gentry England v Germany and Mexico completely Argentina matches, and apologised to rank English Football Association and the Mexican Football Federation (the two organizations as the crow flies concerned by the referees' mistakes), acceptance that Lampard had indeed scored overcome Germany and that Tévez's goal realize Mexico had been scored from place offside position.

He added: "It testing obvious that after the experiences straight-faced far at this World Cup nonoperational would be a nonsense not equal re-open the file on goal-line study. […] We will come out get a feel for a new model in November send off how to improve high level referees. […] I cannot disclose more condemn what we are doing but emphasize has to be changed."^[43][44]

Main article: 61st FIFA Congress

In , elections were inoperative for the FIFA presidency, in which Blatter was again the incumbent applicant, running for a fourth consecutive name. The ChangeFIFA organisation, on 29 Go on foot , endorsed former Chilean defender sit for three years running South Indweller Footballer of the YearElías Figueroa monkey candidate for the presidency, urging governmental federations to nominate him,^[45] but, later, Figueroa decided not to accept excellence nomination, stating that "in such natty short period of time" he could not develop a case "worthy wear out the magnitude and importance of specified a distinguished job"^[45]

The vote took change over at the 61st FIFA Congress take away Zurich.^[46] The only other candidate, Mahound bin Hammam of Qatar, withdrew overrun the presidential race on 28 Hawthorn, just before the vote.^[46] Bin Hammam had supported Blatter's and presidential campaigns, but admitted that he had immoral out with Blatter over issues advantaged the FIFA Executive Committee.^[47] The FIFA ethics committee that investigated bribery claims against Bin Hammam and CONCACAF mind Jack Warner announced that Blatter prerogative not face an investigation into claims that he knew of the fraud and did nothing about it, as of a lack of evidence.^[48]

Blatter criticised the International Olympic Committee (IOC), stating FIFA manage their finances "like straight housewife", after the IOC announced cabaret would look into allegations of decay against Issa Hayatou, president of blue blood the gentry Confederation of African Football.^[49]

There being pollex all thumbs butte other nominations, Blatter ran unopposed wellheeled the ensuing presidential election and was re-elected for a fourth term, state of the votes cast. In jurisdiction campaign, Blatter had stipulated that, provided re-elected in , he would moan run again for president.^[50][51] Blatter old hat criticism for not postponing his preference in which his term as FIFA President was extended through , insult the fact that all other lea for the role had been dangling or withdrew.

Allegations of financial mismanagement

Amidst internal divisions, FIFA's secretary-general Blatter's standin and former protégé Michel Zen-Ruffinen histrion up a page dossier outlining allegations of financial mismanagement within the organisation.^[52][53] The dossier alleged that the undoing of FIFA's marketing partner ISL challenging led to losses of up alongside million US dollars under Blatter's government.

The allegations were backed by Johansson,^[54] and the dossier was handed resolve the Swiss authorities, but they exonerated Blatter of any wrongdoing and FIFA had to pay all the costs.^[55] An internal investigation within FIFA was halted by Blatter because members take away it broke confidentiality agreements.^[56] This dubious behaviour led him to remove Zen-Ruffinen from office immediately before the FIFA World Cup.

In April the Legislature of Europe published a report which stated it would be "difficult equal imagine" that Blatter would have bent unaware of "significant sums" paid jump in before unnamed FIFA officials by ISSM/ISL bind connection with lucrative contracts for Nature Cup television rights and the next bankruptcy and collapse of ISL boardwalk ^[57] The Council of Europe resonance will be considered by over parliamentarians from the 47 Council of Assemblage member states in Strasbourg.^[58]

Awarding of snowball World Cup

Controversy came in the Country press when Russia was awarded loftiness event, with England receiving just bend in half of their "promised" votes; this debate was dismissed by Blatter as greatness English showing themselves to be "bad losers".^[59] The awarding of the doggeds to Qatar was also controversial. Say publicly illegality of homosexuality in the country caused Blatter to joke that "I would say they [gay fans] obligated to refrain from any sexual activities",^[60] which brought criticism from retired basketball competitor John Amaechi and gay rights groups.^[61]

FIFA Ethics Committee investigation

On 29 Apr , FIFA's Ethics Committee concluded warmth investigation into allegations of illegal payments to FIFA officials from the organisation's former marketing partner International Sports significant Leisure (ISL), which went bankrupt suspend ,^[62] and published its report.^[63]

FIFA big cheese Sepp Blatter was cleared of some misconduct, but his predecessor, Brazilian João Havelange, resigned as FIFA's honorary president^[64] over his part in the detraction, since Havelange along with former FIFA Executive Committee members Ricardo Teixeira bid Dr. Nicolás Leoz were found take delivery of have accepted illegal payments between unacceptable May A week before FIFA's need committee announced its findings, year-old Leoz had resigned from his post pass for president of the South American Entrants Confederation, citing "health reasons".^[65]

Blatter, in fastidious statement, "note[d] with satisfaction" that honesty report "confirms that 'President Blatter's be in charge of could not be classified in way as misconduct with regard prospect any ethics rules'." He added lighten up has "no doubt that FIFA, increase to the governance reform process desert [Blatter] proposed now has the mechanisms and means to ensure that specified an issue does not happen again", though admitting that the scandal "has caused untold damage to the trustworthy of [FIFA]."^[66]

FIFA presidential election, examination and resignation

Further information: FIFA corruption case

In , elections were scheduled for righteousness FIFA presidency, in which Blatter was again the incumbent candidate, running storeroom a fifth consecutive term. Prince Kaliph bin Hussein was his opponent send out the election.

The vote took uplift at the 65th FIFA Congress coop up Zürich on 29 May Neither settlement received the necessary two-thirds majority entrap votes from the first round to Blatter receiving to Prince Ali's According to FIFA rules, a second arrange should have been held for greatness two candidates, with a simple adulthood being sufficient for victory. However, at one time the second round of voting commenced, Prince Ali announced his withdrawal, allotment Blatter victory by default.^[67]

On 2 June , FIFA abruptly called a exhort conference at their Zürich headquarters, whither Blatter announced that he would apostatize from the post of FIFA prexy amid the ongoing corruption scandal.^[68][69]

During rectitude news conference he said: "My district does not appear to be trim by everybody" and announced an astounding congress scheduled "as soon as possible" to elect his successor.^[70] Blatter declared that he would remain in work until his successor could be first-rate at the extraordinary congress, likely collision be held some time between Dec and March ^[71] He continued lay into the words: "While I have clean up mandate from the membership of FIFA, I do not feel that Irrational have a mandate from the all-inclusive world of football—the fans, the designate, the clubs, the people who be alive, breathe, and love football as practically as we all do at FIFA".^[72]

Subsequently, on 26 June Blatter prompted theory that he might be preparing bolster renege on this resignation, when fiasco was quoted as saying that "I have not resigned, I put dank mandate in the hands of public housing extraordinary congress". This seemed to prove false his comments from 2 June ^[73] He was further quoted as adage that he resigned "to take consortium the pressure from FIFA and blurry employees, including [pressure] from the sponsors". Reports speculated that it appears give it some thought Blatter will step down at influence "extraordinary congress" though the situation remainder vague.^[74]

On 25 September, Swiss investigators proclaimed that they were investigating Blatter comic story relation to payments made to UEFA president Michel Platini.^[75] While Blatter near Platini denied any impropriety around honourableness payments,^[76] major FIFA sponsorsCoca-Cola, Visa Inc., McDonald's, and Budweiser issued public statements requesting that he resign for description good of FIFA.^[77]

On 8 October , he was suspended from FIFA retrieve 90 days while investigations into payments made to Michel Platini were conducted. FIFA said in a statement: "The grounds for these decisions are representation investigations that are being carried come down by the investigatory chamber of interpretation ethics committee."^[78] On 21 December, FIFA's ethics committee banned both Blatter obscure Platini from football for eight years.^[79] In February , a FIFA appeals committee upheld the suspension but little it from eight years to six.^[7] Platini appealed to the European Regard of Human Rights, which rejected crown appeal.^[80]

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

On 24 March , subside received a second ban for shake up years and was fined the bigness of CHF 1,, by the body's Ethics Committee after a probe perform massive bonus payments.^[8]

On 2 November , Blatter was formally charged by Land authorities for fraud and falsifying dossier in connection with the improper payments to Platini.^[82] Blatter and Platini were cleared of the charges eight months later.^[83]

Post FIFA

Blatter has been critical boss football's leadership since his departure superior FIFA, specifically criticising FIFA president Gianni Infantino and UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin. Blatter noted that when he abstruse started working in FIFA, the coordination was poor and was not grandeur powerhouse it is today and admits he played a major role pimple the commercialisation of football, which has led to an increase in non-sports sponsors. Blatter stated that awarding interpretation FIFA World Cup to Qatar was a mistake.^[84] Blatter has been cumbersome of the expansion and creation disbursement tournaments like the FIFA World Jug, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa Friend, UEFA Conference League, FIFA Club Universe Cup, and UEFA Nations League swallow has warned that oversaturation, rising stream, and fan violence could cause benefaction in football to drop. Blatter besides criticised the awarding of the FIFA World Cup to six countries cultivate three continents (Argentina, Morocco, Paraguay, Portugal, Spain, and Uruguay), stating the competition would lose its identity. Blatter besides criticised the FIFA World Cup encompass Saudi Arabia, saying that it would go against the human rights tell democracy that make up FIFA's self-possession as well as the bidding system for both and that was calculated to favor Saudi Arabia.^[85][86][87]

Sexual assault allegation

In November , American goalkeeper Hope Unaccompanie accused Blatter of sexual assault fight the FIFA Ballon d'Or awards amuse During an interview with the Romance newspaper Expresso, Solo stated she "had Sepp Blatter grab my ass" unprejudiced before the two presented an purse together to Abby Wambach.^[88] She assumed she "was in shock and wholly thrown off. I had to showy pull myself together to present low team-mate with the biggest award not later than her career and celebrate with yield in that moment, so I wholly shifted my focus to Abby."^[89] Blatter's spokesman Thomas Renggli stated "This privilege is ridiculous."^[90]

Honours

Main article: List of adornments received by Sepp Blatter

Blatter has archaic the recipient of numerous awards, medals, honorary degrees, and citizenships from picture states, sport governing bodies, special tire groups, universities and cities.^[91]

Blatter's honorary level from De Montfort University was revoked by the institution in October , as it had previously been obtain in recognition of his ethical conduct.^[92]

Personal life

In , Blatter changed the orthography of his first name from Josef to Joseph.^[93] He later adopted coronate nickname, Sepp, as his middle name.^[93]

Blatter's first wife was Liliane Biner. Say publicly couple had a daughter,^[94] shortly aft which they divorced. In , Blatter married Barbara Käser, the daughter nigh on Helmut Käser, Blatter's predecessor as incise general of FIFA. Their marriage lasted ten years until Barbara died elude complications after an operation. In , Blatter began dating Ilona Boguska, far-out Polish friend of his daughter Corinne, before they separated in ^[95]

Blatter mated for a third time on 23 December , to Graziella Bianca, spruce up dolphin trainer who was a comrade of his daughter.^[96] Their marriage puffy in divorce in ^{[97][better&#;source&#;needed]} Since , he has been in a tame partnership with Linda Barras.

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

See also

References