Ex-Fifa boss shoots again against his successor
Blatter on Infantino: “Nobody is allowed to ride the elevator with him”
02/25/2026 – 12:11 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
As FIFA boss, Joseph Blatter was just as controversial as the current incumbent Gianni Infantino. But that doesn’t stop the Swiss from once again sharply criticizing the world association and its successor.
Once again Joseph Blatter is dishing it out against his successor. The former FIFA president finds clear words for Gianni Infantino. Blatter described his compatriot as autocratic and submissive. “He rules like a sun king. I heard from FIFA that he doesn’t want to be greeted when he shows up at FIFA headquarters, which is rarely the case. Because at some point someone is said to have addressed him as ‘Bonjour, Monsieur Blatter’,” Blatter told “Sport Bild”.
Infantino “is completely isolating himself. Nobody is allowed to ride the elevator with him,” Blatter claims. “But football will also survive Infantino.” Just a few days ago, an interview with Radio Canada appeared in which Blatter primarily criticized Infantino’s close connection to US President Donald Trump. His interference in the planning of the World Cup in the summer was “the worst thing that happened to FIFA,” said the now 89-year-old.
He now renewed this criticism. Blatter called Infantino’s behavior toward Trump “submissive. The peace prize for Trump is an incomprehensible matter. Infantino is ingratiating himself to Trump because he needs him.”
With a view to the World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada in the summer, Blatter expressed a suspicion: “Of course Trump will stage himself, he’s already doing that now! For that he needs his new friend, FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Although the term ‘accomplice’ is more suitable than ‘friend’.”
Blatter was also outraged about the state of the world association: “Who is Fifa today? It only consists of its President Infantino. Fifa is a dictatorship! The Fifa Council with almost 40 people has nothing to say.”
Blatter himself headed the world football association from 1998 to 2015, and Infantino followed him in office. The Swiss, who turns 90 on March 10, resigned in the wake of corruption investigations. His administration was also highly controversial.
