Sepp Blatter, the former president of FIFA, remains barred from all football-related activities until June 2028. The 90-year-old received two suspensions that together exceed 12 years, effectively ending his involvement in the sport.
Blatter's Fall from Power
Blatter led FIFA from 1998 until his forced resignation in June 2015, following a corruption investigation launched by the United States. During a press conference, he stated: "My mandate does not appear to be supported by everybody."
In December 2015, Blatter and UEFA president Michel Platini were handed eight-year bans, later reduced to six years. The suspension stemmed from alleged ethics violations after Blatter authorized a £1.3 million payment to Platini in 2011. Both maintained the funds were part of a verbal agreement for Platini's work as a technical adviser between 1998 and 2002. They were acquitted of corruption charges in Swiss courts in 2025.
Additional Suspension and Investigation
Blatter faced a further suspension in March 2021, adding six years and eight months to his ban, starting from the conclusion of his original suspension in October 2021. This followed breaches of FIFA's ethics code and was also applied to former FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke.
FIFA determined that Blatter received "an undue economic benefit" of 23 million Swiss Francs (£18 million) between 2010 and 2014. A FIFA statement detailed investigations into "various charges, in particular concerning bonus payments in relation to FIFA competitions that were paid to top FIFA management officials."
Scheme and Impact
The investigation revealed that Blatter, Valcke, former Argentina football federation president Julio Grondona, and ex-FIFA finance director Markus Kattner "set up a scheme through which they were allowing themselves to obtain extraordinary benefits with a minimum of effort." The statement described a "vicious circle" where they signed each other's contracts and approved bonuses, keeping the matter "off the books."
The 2021 FIFA Ethics Committee ruling emphasized Blatter's responsibility as a role model, stating: "Mr Blatter held the highest position in football as FIFA president and, as such, had a tremendous responsibility to serve the football community as a role model. By his conduct, the integrity and objectivity of FIFA have therefore been exceedingly violated."
Blatter's successor, Gianni Infantino, has faced criticism over plans to sell stakes in FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors. The English Football Association is reportedly set to withdraw backing for Infantino's re-election, following the Welsh FA. UEFA stated: "The current FIFA leadership has not only lost UEFA's confidence but also that of many other members of the football family."
