'Dictator' Infantino needs psychiatric help, says former FIFA chief Blatter

BERLIN (AFP) -- Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has slammed current chief Gianni Infantino, calling his successor a "dictator" and suggesting he needs psychiatric help in an interview with Der Spiegel published Wednesday.

Blatter, 90, criticized Infantino's decision to create the FIFA Peace Prize for US President Donald Trump ahead of this year's World Cup, hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.

He was also critical of Infantino's post-World Cup plans to sell part of the competition's future commercial rights, a proposal that was scrapped after a fierce backlash.

"FIFA is suffering. It is currently led by a person who has allowed himself to be blinded," Blatter told the German magazine.

The Peace Prize, he said, was "embarrassing."

"Why would he do something like that?" Blatter asked. "Infantino awards a peace prize to someone who wages war against Iran shortly afterwards? That's madness."

Blatter said it was easy for Infantino to secure support for his re-election from national soccer associations.

"'If you vote for me,' he tells the national associations, 'you will get much more money than before.'"

"He is a dictator. People in FIFA tell me that no one is allowed to ride in the elevator with him. He is 'untouchable.'"

Speaking about Infantino's plans to sell World Cup rights, Blatter said: "Infantino no longer knows any borders. He doesn't understand any of this."

"I mean, maybe Infantino should be sent to a psychiatric ward one day."

Blatter was also critical of FIFA's decision to suspend a red card awarded to US striker Folarin Balogun after Trump intervened ahead of a crucial match at this summer's World Cup.

"The red card. That's the worst. Statutes can be interpreted. But rules of the game must apply to everyone, you can't interpret them."

FIFA, contacted for comment, referred to its previous response to Der Spiegel, in which it disputed Blatter's statements.

FIFA rejected allegations that Infantino had acted inappropriately, saying he "is fulfilling his duties as president through his travels."

"The suspension imposed on Folarin Balogun following a red card was lifted by independent FIFA judicial bodies," it added.

"Mr. Infantino does indeed use the elevator at FIFA, but does so when other people are present," FIFA said in the statement.

Blatter became FIFA president in 1998 but resigned in disgrace in 2015 amid corruption allegations, including accusations that he had sought to buy votes to secure the presidency.

He faced criminal charges but was eventually acquitted in two trials. However, FIFA's ethics committee banned him from soccer.

Blatter told the magazine he had "no regrets" about his time in charge of the organization.

Japanese official Kozo Tashima has announced plans to challenge Infantino in his re-election bid, but Blatter named World Athletics president Sebastian Coe as his preferred successor.

"It is not important who is running. What is important is that the incumbent president is no longer elected."

"Coe was also chairman of the FIFA Ethics Committee. He is a strong personality. A president from the motherland of football, England, would be good."

Blatter said he had not spoken with Infantino since early 2016.