“He is a dictator, untouchable” – what Blatter reveals about Infantino

Former FIFA President Joseph Blatter has made serious accusations against his criticized successor Gianni Infantino and described him as a “dictator”. In an interview with “Spiegel”, the 90-year-old accused his Swiss compatriot, who is up for re-election in March 2027, of having conducted an election campaign at FIFA’s expense and of violating statutes.

"He is a dictator. People in FIFA tell me that no one is allowed to ride in the elevator with him. He is untouchable," said Blatter. The Swiss was head of the world football association from 1998 to 2016. During his time in office, high-ranking FIFA officials proved to be corruptible.

According to Blatter, Infantino's intervention during the World Cup was particularly serious, when he suspended the red card against US striker Folarin Balogun after a telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump. "That's the worst. You can interpret statutes. But the rules of the game have to apply to everyone, they can't be interpreted," said Blatter.

According to “Spiegel”, FIFA has rejected Blatter’s allegations. The red card against Balogun was suspended by independent Fifa judicial bodies, and Infantino would also use the elevator with other people.

In addition, according to Blatter, Infantino would use the FIFA infrastructure and its resources for his election campaign. The world association also rejected this.

According to his own words, Blatter last had contact with Infantino at the beginning of 2016. After his choice, they drank red wine and ate some cheese. He later tried to reach Infantino by phone. "Then I had a legal advisor on the line who said he didn't have any good news. The president had decided that from now on communication with me would only go through the lawyers," Blatter claimed.