Former FIFA Joseph Blatter has publicly criticized his successor, Gianni Infantino, describing the current head of the world football governing body as a “dictator” who should perhaps be sent for psychiatric evaluation.
In an interview with the German publication Der Spiegel, reported by LAOLA1, Blatter alleged that Infantino has lost all sense of boundaries and no longer understands the implications of his actions.
Blatter, who led FIFA until 2015, suggested that legal action remains a viable path to address Infantino’s conduct. He proposed that the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne could be used to challenge the FIFA president for behavior that allegedly violates the organization’s statutes.
According to the LAOLA1 report, Blatter cited the creation of a peace prize awarded to Donald Trump as an example of an initiative launched by Infantino without proper oversight.
The 90-year-old former official further alleged that Infantino’s interactions with the former U.S. President had a negative impact on his leadership. “The FIFA is suffering. It is currently led by a person who allowed himself to be blinded,” Blatter told Der Spiegel.
Additionally, Blatter claimed that internal staff at FIFA have reported that no one is permitted to ride in an elevator with the president, characterizing him as “untouchable.”
FIFA has officially denied these allegations in response to inquiries from the AFP. Despite these claims, Infantino continues to travel globally, securing pledges of support from various member associations, according to reporting by sportschau.de.
Looking toward the 2027 FIFA presidential election, Blatter has expressed his support for Sebastian Coe of World Athletics, as a potential successor. Reports from sportschau.de also indicate that former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger is being considered as a possible candidate, with speculation surrounding a potential bid ahead of the November 18 deadline for nominations.
To qualify for the presidency, a candidate must secure official support from at least five of the 211 national associations. The candidate must also have held an active role in football, such as a player or official, for at least two of the five years preceding their candidacy.
Wenger, who has served as FIFA’s director of global football development since 2019, previously acted as the organization’s spokesperson in late 2021 to promote a biennial World Cup format for men and women. The 77-year-old could lead a transition period to address UEFA-demanded reforms and unify divided world football.
Gianni Infantino succeeded Joseph Blatter in 2016 following Blatter’s departure from the organization in 2015. While Blatter has publicly expressed a desire for a change in leadership, the current FIFA structure requires candidates to secure formal backing from at least five of the 211 national associations to be eligible for the ballot.
As the November 18 nomination deadline approaches, the potential candidacy of Arsène Wenger for the FIFA presidency is a point of discussion among European football officials.
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