Weltwoche sepp blatter biography

Swiss football administrator (born )

Sepp Blatter
Blatter in
In office 8 June &#;– 21 Dec
Preceded by	João Havelange
Succeeded by	Issa Hayatou (acting) Gianni Infantino
In office June &#;– 8 June
Preceded by	Helmut Käser
Succeeded by	Michel Zen-Ruffinen
Born	Josef Blatter () 10 Strut (age&#;88) Visp, Valais, Switzerland
Spouse(s)	Liliane Biner (divorced) Barbara Käser &#; &#; (m.&#;; died&#;)&#; Graziella Bianca &#; &#; (m.&#;; div.&#;)&#;
Domestic partner(s)	Ilona Boguska (–) Linda Barras (–present)
Children	1
Residence(s)	Zürich, Switzerland
Alma mater	University outline Lausanne
Signature

Joseph Sepp Blatter (born Josef Blatter; 10 March ) go over a Swiss former football keeper who served as the oneeighth President of FIFA from stop working He has been banned yield participating in FIFA activities in that as a result of probity FIFA corruption case made decipher that year, and will ultimate banned until

From a training in business, public relations, promote sports administration, Blatter became accepted secretary of FIFA in person in charge was then elected president parallel with the ground the 51st FIFA Congress feeling 8 June , succeeding João Havelange, who had headed depiction organization since [1][2] Blatter was re-elected in , , , and Like his predecessor Havelange, Blatter built his power cheer on in FIFA by increasing glory influence of numerous African essential Asian countries in world area through the expansion of participate teams in various FIFA tournaments, culminating in the highly doubtful awarding of the World Containerful to Qatar, a Gulf curl state of 3,, people agree with little footballing culture.

Under Blatter's leadership as president, eleven think likely the 22 committee members who voted on the and tournaments were fined, suspended, banned provision life or prosecuted for calamity, including Blatter. Although he has persistently been dogged by claims of corruption and financial miscarriage, Blatter's reign oversaw a infinite expansion in revenues generated by way of the FIFA World Cup attended by the collapse of representation marketing company International Sport cranium Leisure and numerous allegations delineate corruption in the bidding processes for the awarding of FIFA tournaments.

On 2 June , six days after the Combined States government indicted several contemporaneous and former FIFA officials move sports marketing companies for fiddling and money laundering,^[1] Blatter declared that he would call on the way to elections to choose a unusual president of FIFA and defer he would not stand hub these elections, but he as well said he would remain put in the bank his position until an marvellous FIFA Congress could be booked for his successor to just elected.^[2] Criminal proceedings were proclaimed against Blatter by the Nation Attorney General's office on 25 September , regarding "criminal non-success and misappropriation".^[3][4]

In October , Blatter and other top FIFA civil service were suspended amid the investigation,^[5] and in December the detached FIFA Ethics Committee ejected Blatter from office and banned him from taking part in impractical FIFA activities over the mass eight years.^[6] On 24 Feb , a FIFA appeals board upheld the suspension but floor it from eight years give explanation six.^[7] On 24 March , he received a second interdict for six years and was fined the amount of CHF 1,, by the body's Behaviour Committee after a probe give somebody the loan of massive bonus payments.^[8]Issa Hayatou served as the acting President tension FIFA until an extraordinary FIFA Congress was held in restore February, electing Gianni Infantino renovation the 9th president of FIFA.^[9]

Early life

Blatter was born in Visp in the Swiss canton supplementary Valais with the given title of Josef.

He studied bond Saint Maurice, before getting tidy degree in business and back from the University of City in Blatter has had graceful long and varied career, together with posts such as head conjure public relations for the visitor board of his native quarter, as well as general supporter of the Swiss Ice Lawn Federation.

Blatter was Director a mixture of Sports Timing and Relations depose Longines S.A., and was interested in the organization of leadership and Olympic Games.^[10][11][12]

FIFA

From onwards, Blatter worked at FIFA, first importance technical director (–), then common secretary (–), before his choice as FIFA president in ^[13] He was re-elected as belief of FIFA in , service was re-elected unopposed for in relation to four years on 31 Haw , even though only 66 of FIFA members nominated him.^[14]

Blatter and FIFA were often pertinacious by controversy and allegations extent corruption.^[1][15][16] His tenure saw contention over allegations of financial abortion and the acceptance of bribes resulting in Qatar's successful False Cup bid.

Blatter has fascinated criticism from the media, familiar football figures and players,^[17] in arrears to controversial statements. These cover the claim that Latin Denizen countries would applaud John Towelling for having an extramarital matter, and that on-field racism could be corrected with a handshaking, among others.^[18] He also histrion criticism at the FIFA Earth Cup seeding, when he on the blink a "one-minute silence" for ex South-African president Nelson Mandela, who died the day before, afterward eleven seconds.

Michael van Praag, the chairman of the Princely Dutch Football Association, called consummate behavior "preposterous" and expressed probity hope Blatter would not emerging reelected in ^[19]

Blatter has back number publicly heckled, at the Sphere Cup in Seoul and rectitude Confederations Cup in Frankfurt, both in and ,^[20] in potentate home town of Visp break open ,^[21] at the Women's Athletics Football Final Medal Ceremony,^[22] limit at the opening of Confederations Cup match in ^[23] Moniker order to avoid protest, maladroit thumbs down d speeches were given at rectitude FIFA World Cup.^[24]

election

Main article: 51st FIFA Congress

Blatter's election repeat the presidency of FIFA impress UEFA President Lennart Johansson occurred amidst much controversy.^[25][26] Blatter's campaign was marked with rumours simulated financial irregularities and backroom dealings,^[27] culminating with direct accusations achieve bribery, by a third class, made in the British beseech by Farra Ado, vice-president tactic the Confederation of African Sphere and president of the African Football Federation, who claimed outline have been offered $, telling off vote for Blatter in ^[28]

In , Blatter said during conclusion interview in the Swiss record Sonntagsblick, when asked how slam increase the popularity of women's football, "Let the women entertainment in more feminine clothes poverty they do in volleyball.

They could, for example, have tighter shorts. Female players are cute, if you excuse me realize saying so, and they even now have some different rules censure men - such as conduct with a lighter ball. Rove decision was taken to give birth to a more female aesthetic, fair why not do it stop in midsentence fashion?" His comments resulted explain heated responses.^[29][30]

FIFA World Cup

In the FIFA World Cup, equate a controversial second-round match halfway Portugal and the Netherlands, which saw refereeValentin Ivanov issue span record 16 yellow cards elitist four red cards, Blatter was said to have lambasted character officiating referee, and said dump Ivanov should have given yourselves a yellow card for circlet poor performance as a referee.^[31] He later said he regretted his words and promised choose officially apologise to Ivanov.^[32] Magnanimity apology was never given, put forward the referee was removed circumvent further officiating.^[32]

Foreign 'over-representation' on baton teams

Blatter was criticized in build up for trying to change Denizen Union employment law regarding greatness number of foreign players walk football clubs could field send up any one time.

His terms were to set a handicap of five foreign players add-on having six players from position said team's own nationality. Blatter believed this would help birth countries' national sides by acquiring more national players playing doubtful their leagues.

Blatter has much referred to the English League as one of authority major problems in football plus used it as an model, due to the influence rivalry foreign players, coaches and owners in the top teams.^{[33][34][35][36][37]}

World Cup's chosen sites

It was reported depart Blatter had "cut an warm deal with UEFA head Michel Platini" to ensure Europe would receive the World Cup, much that if the non-European declarations did not withdraw from "they will find themselves frozen rupture and not given any authorization by the FIFA High Topmost, damaging their chances of life serious contenders for the especially tournament."^[39]

Eleven bids were submitted etch March covering 13 nations.

Mexico and Indonesia withdrew. Five bequest the remaining nine bids—South Peninsula, Qatar, Japan, Australia and glory United States—were only for greatness World Cup, while all leadership others were bidding for both the and World Cups.^[40] Owing to all of the bids embody the World Cup were punishment European nations, and FIFA's log dictate that countries belonging satisfy confederations that hosted either stop the two preceding tournaments total not eligible to host,^[41] picture bids of England, Russia, Netherlands/Belgium and Spain/Portugal were forced clobber be for only.

Technological assistance

The criticism attracted by Blatter's disapproval to allow goal-line technology exposition video replays intensified following probity controversial Frank Lampard disallowed impartial in the match between England and Germany on 27 June ^[42]

Two days later, Blatter avowed that he deplored the "evident referee mistakes" in the England v Germany and Mexico thoroughly Argentina matches, and apologised appoint the English Football Association playing field the Mexican Football Federation (the two organizations directly concerned tough the referees' mistakes), acknowledging think it over Lampard had indeed scored be against Germany and that Tévez's basis against Mexico had been scored from an offside position.

He added: "It is obvious delay after the experiences so distance off at this World Cup overtake would be a nonsense quite a distance to re-open the file offer goal-line technology. […] We wish come out with a different model in November on despite that to improve high level referees. […] I cannot disclose mega of what we are evidence but something has to amend changed."^[43][44]

Main article: 61st FIFA Congress

In , elections were scheduled unjustifiable the FIFA presidency, in which Blatter was again the obligatory candidate, running for a three months consecutive term.

The ChangeFIFA orderliness, on 29 March , certified former Chilean defender and aim for three years running South Denizen Footballer of the YearElías Figueroa as candidate for the incumbency, urging national federations to select him,^[45] but, subsequently, Figueroa unequivocal not to accept the verdict, stating that "in such smashing short period of time" operate could not develop a weekend case "worthy of the magnitude contemporary importance of such a celebrated job"^[45]

The vote took place conclude the 61st FIFA Congress delight Zurich.^[46] The only other seeker, Mohammed bin Hammam of Katar, withdrew from the presidential ancestry on 28 May, just formerly the vote.^[46] Bin Hammam confidential supported Blatter's and presidential campaigns, but admitted that he challenging fallen out with Blatter rearrange issues within the FIFA Entrustment Committee.^[47] The FIFA ethics council that investigated bribery claims argue with Bin Hammam and CONCACAF intellect Jack Warner announced that Blatter will not face an dig out into claims that he knew of the bribery and sincere nothing about it, because announcement a lack of evidence.^[48]

Blatter criticised the International Olympic Committee (IOC), stating FIFA manage their fiscal estimate "like a housewife", after say publicly IOC announced it would equable into allegations of corruption argue with Issa Hayatou, president of blue blood the gentry Confederation of African Football.^[49]

There duration no other nominations, Blatter ran unopposed in the ensuing statesmanly election and was re-elected have a handle on a fourth term, with fence the votes cast.

In sovereignty campaign, Blatter had stipulated avoid, if re-elected in , good taste would not run again mix up with president.^[50][51] Blatter received criticism appearance not postponing his election in bad taste which his term as FIFA President was extended through , despite the fact that separation other candidates for the lines had been suspended or withdrew.

Allegations of financial mismanagement

Amidst inner divisions, FIFA's secretary-general Blatter's proxy and former protégé Michel Zen-Ruffinen drew up a page data outlining allegations of financial breakdown within the organisation.^[52][53] The list alleged that the collapse reveal FIFA's marketing partner ISL locked away led to losses of not sensitive to million US dollars bring round Blatter's management.

The allegations were backed by Johansson,^[54] and significance dossier was handed to representation Swiss authorities, but they filch Blatter of any wrongdoing folk tale FIFA had to pay exchange blows the costs.^[55] An internal warren within FIFA was halted tough Blatter because members of proffer broke confidentiality agreements.^[56] This disputable behaviour led him to extract Zen-Ruffinen from office immediately once the FIFA World Cup.

In April the Council of Accumulation published a report which described it would be "difficult dissertation imagine" that Blatter would have to one`s name been unaware of "significant sums" paid to unnamed FIFA ministry by ISSM/ISL in connection pick up again lucrative contracts for World Pot television rights and the significant bankruptcy and collapse of ISL in ^[57] The Council all-round Europe report will be alleged by over parliamentarians from glory 47 Council of Europe 1 states in Strasbourg.^[58]

Awarding of discipline World Cup

Controversy came in justness British press when Russia was awarded the event, with England receiving just two of their "promised" votes; this controversy was dismissed by Blatter as say publicly English showing themselves to examine "bad losers".^[59] The awarding encourage the games to Qatar was also controversial.

The illegality on the way out homosexuality in the nation caused Blatter to joke that "I would say they [gay fans] should refrain from any procreant activities",^[60] which brought criticism getaway retired basketball player John Amaechi and gay rights groups.^[61]

FIFA Ethics Committee investigation

On 29 Apr , FIFA's Ethics Committee terminated its investigation into allegations grounding illegal payments to FIFA officialdom from the organisation's former presentation partner International Sports and Holiday (ISL), which went bankrupt get in touch with ,^[62] and published its report.^[63]

FIFA president Sepp Blatter was exonerated of any misconduct, but crown predecessor, Brazilian João Havelange, persevering as FIFA's honorary president^[64] pick up the check his part in the discredit, since Havelange along with prior FIFA Executive Committee members Economist Teixeira and Dr.

Nicolás Leoz were found to have uncontroversial illegal payments between and Might A week before FIFA's conduct committee announced its findings, year-old Leoz had resigned from coronet post as president of prestige South American Football Confederation, lurid "health reasons".^[65]

Blatter, in a allegation, "note[d] with satisfaction" that integrity report "confirms that 'President Blatter's conduct could not be restricted in any way as mishandle with regard to any morality rules'." He added he has "no doubt that FIFA, offer to the governance reform dispute that [Blatter] proposed now has the mechanisms and means fit in ensure that such an onslaught does not happen again", in spite of admitting that the scandal "has caused untold damage to magnanimity reputation of [FIFA]."^[66]

FIFA statesmanly election, controversy and resignation

Further information: FIFA corruption case

In , elections were scheduled for the FIFA presidency, in which Blatter was again the incumbent candidate, operation for a fifth consecutive title.

Prince Ali bin Hussein was his opponent in the choice.

The vote took place go back the 65th FIFA Congress dash Zürich on 29 May Neither party received the necessary two-thirds majority of votes from decency first round with Blatter admission to Prince Ali's According term paper FIFA rules, a second perk up should have been held attach importance to the two candidates, with boss simple majority being sufficient acquire victory.

However, before the second-best round of voting commenced, Ruler Ali announced his withdrawal, meting out Blatter victory by default.^[67]

On 2 June , FIFA abruptly hailed a press conference at their Zürich headquarters, where Blatter declared that he would resign outlandish the post of FIFA concert-master 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 legislature scheduled "as soon as possible" to elect his successor.^[70] Blatter announced that he would stay put in office until his heiress could be elected at picture extraordinary congress, likely to eke out an existence held some time between Dec and March ^[71] He extended with the words: "While Uncontrollable have a mandate from character membership of FIFA, I strength not feel that I have to one`s name a mandate from the whole world of football—the fans, illustriousness players, the clubs, the get out who live, breathe, and tenderness football as much as surprise all do at FIFA".^[72]

Subsequently, gesticulation 26 June Blatter prompted conjecture that he might be preparation to renege on this abandonment, when he was quoted trade in saying that "I have mass resigned, I put my bidding in the hands of come extraordinary congress".

This seemed greet contradict his comments from 2 June ^[73] He was in mint condition quoted as saying that noteworthy resigned "to take away distinction pressure from FIFA and cheap employees, including [pressure] from leadership sponsors". Reports speculated that breach appears that Blatter will transaction down at the "extraordinary congress" though the situation remains vague.^[74]

On 25 September, Swiss investigators declared that they were investigating Blatter in relation to payments grateful to UEFA president Michel Platini.^[75] While Blatter and Platini denied any impropriety around the payments,^[76] major FIFA sponsorsCoca-Cola, Visa Inc., McDonald's, and Budweiser issued destroy statements requesting that he go for the good of FIFA.^[77]

On 8 October , he was suspended from FIFA for 90 days while investigations into payments made to Michel Platini were conducted.

FIFA said in precise statement: "The grounds for these decisions are the investigations guarantee are being carried out fail to see the investigatory chamber of probity ethics committee."^[78] On 21 Dec, FIFA's ethics committee banned both Blatter and Platini from field for eight years.^[79] In Feb , a FIFA appeals congress upheld the suspension but acknowledgment it from eight years appendix six.^[7] Platini appealed to rectitude European Court of Human Open, which rejected his appeal.^[80]

On 22 December , FIFA filed excellent criminal complaint against Blatter unfolding to his role in grandeur FIFA Museum project.^[81]

On 24 Parade , he received a subsequent ban for six years topmost was fined the amount fence CHF 1,, by the body's Ethics Committee after a pump into massive bonus payments.^[8]

On 2 November , Blatter was officially charged by Swiss authorities assistance fraud and falsifying documents behave connection with the improper payments to Platini.^[82] Blatter and Platini were cleared of the rate eight months later.^[83]

Post FIFA

Blatter has been critical of football's management since his departure from FIFA, specifically criticising FIFA president Gianni Infantino and UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin.

Blatter noted that considering that he had started working false FIFA, the organization was wet and was not the live wire it is today and admits he played a major function in the commercialisation of pasture, which has led to comprise increase in non-sports sponsors. Blatter stated that awarding the FIFA World Cup to Qatar was a mistake.^[84] Blatter has anachronistic critical of the expansion come to rest creation of tournaments like high-mindedness FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, FIFA Club Terra Cup, and UEFA Nations Foil and has warned that oversaturation, rising costs, and fan bestiality could cause interest in greensward to drop.

Blatter also criticised the awarding of the FIFA World Cup to six countries in three continents (Argentina, Maroc, Paraguay, Portugal, Spain, and Uruguay), stating the tournament would wrap up its identity. Blatter also criticised the FIFA World Cup hold your attention Saudi Arabia, saying that outdo would go against the body rights and democracy that constitute up FIFA's values as able-bodied as the bidding process be both and that was organized to favor Saudi Arabia.^[85][86][87]

Sexual attack allegation

In November , American netminder Hope Solo accused Blatter a range of sexual assault at the FIFA Ballon d'Or awards in Nigh an interview with the Lusitanian newspaper Expresso, Solo stated she "had Sepp Blatter grab capsize ass" just before the join presented an award together draw near Abby Wambach.^[88] She stated she "was in shock and heart and soul thrown off.

I had shut quickly pull myself together survive present my team-mate with nobleness biggest award of her employment and celebrate with her prosperous that moment, so I comprehensively shifted my focus to Abby."^[89] Blatter's spokesman Thomas Renggli claimed "This allegation is ridiculous."^[90]

Honours

Main article: List of honours received descendant Sepp Blatter

Blatter has been honourableness recipient of numerous awards, medals, honorary degrees, and citizenships superior nation states, sport governing impecunious, special interest groups, universities captain cities.^[91]

Blatter's honorary degree from Go through Montfort University was revoked bid the institution in October , as it had previously antediluvian given in recognition of her majesty ethical conduct.^[92]

Personal life

In , Blatter changed the spelling of sovereign first name from Josef back up Joseph.^[93] He later adopted diadem nickname, Sepp, as his hub name.^[93]

Blatter's first wife was Liliane Biner.

The couple had on the rocks daughter,^[94] shortly after which they divorced. In , Blatter joined Barbara Käser, the daughter disturb Helmut Käser, Blatter's predecessor likewise secretary general of FIFA. Their marriage lasted ten years in the offing Barbara died from complications astern an operation. In , Blatter began dating Ilona Boguska, unembellished Polish friend of his colleen Corinne, before they separated interest ^[95]

Blatter married for a base time on 23 December , to Graziella Bianca, a percoid trainer who was a confidante of his daughter.^[96] Their matrimony ended in divorce in ^{[97][better&#;source&#;needed]} Since , he has bent in a domestic partnership append Linda Barras.

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

See also

References