Joseph Blatter (center), Luís Inácio Lula da Silva (right) and Ricardo Teixeira (seated) in Brasília, September 28, 2006. Picture: Antônio Cruz/ABr.

Joseph "Sepp" Blatter (born March 10, 1936 in Visp, Wallis, Switzerland) is the 8th and current president of FIFA. He was elected on June 8, 1998, succeeding Dr. João Havelange (Brazil). Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1977x1312, 403 KB) Joseph Blatter (left), Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (right) Ricardo Teixeira (seated) in Brasília, September 28, 2006. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1977x1312, 403 KB) Joseph Blatter (left), Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (right) Ricardo Teixeira (seated) in Brasília, September 28, 2006. ... Term of office: January 1, 2003 – present Preceded by: Fernando Henrique Cardoso Succeeded by: incumbent Date of birth: October 6, 1945 Place of birth: Vargem Grande (now Caetés), Garanhuns, Pernambuco First Lady: Marisa Letícia Lula da Silva Political party: Workers Party Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (born... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... is the 271st day of the year (272nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays full 2006 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... March 10 is the 69th day of the year (70th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1936 (MCMXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Visp (French: Viège) is a municipality in the Canton of Valais in Switzerland. ... The Valais (German:  ) is one of the 26 cantons of Switzerland in the south-western part of the country, in the Pennine Alps around the valley of the Rhone River from its springs to Lake Geneva. ... The International Federation of Football Association (French: ), commonly known by its acronym, FIFA, is the international governing body of association football. ... is the 159th day of the year (160th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... João Havelange Jean-Marie Faustin Goedefroid de Havelange (born May 8, 1916 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) was the president of FIFA from 1974 to 1998. ...

Background

Born in the Swiss town of Visp, Blatter graduated from the Sion and St. Maurice colleges in Switzerland before gaining a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Economics from the Faculty of Law at Lausanne University. A bachelors degree is usually an undergraduate academic degree awarded for a course or major that generally lasts for three, four, or in some cases and countries, five or six years. ... Categories: University stubs | Swiss universities ...

His long and varied career includes posts such as Head of Public Relations of the Valaisan Tourist Board in his native Switzerland, as well as General Secretary of the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation. He was also Director of Sports Timing and Public Relations of Longines S.A. and was involved in the organization of the 1972 and 1976 Olympic Games. The five Olympic rings were designed in 1913, adopted in 1914 and debuted at the Games at Antwerp, 1920. ...

Since 1975 Blatter has been working at FIFA, first as Technical Director (1975-1981), then General Secretary (1981-1998) before his election as FIFA President in 1998. He was re-elected as head of FIFA in 2002, defeating Issa Hayatou in the election, and was re-elected unopposed for another four years on 31 May 2007 even though only 66 of 207 FIFA members nominated him.^[1] Issa Hayatou is the current president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). ... is the 151st day of the year (152nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ...

Changes to the game made under Blatter

Sepp Blatter

• The "silver goal" replaced the "golden goal" rule in extra time of play-off matches. Under the "golden goal" rule, the match ends immediately if one side scores in extra time. The "silver goal" rule, however, states that the match will end at the half-time period in extra time if one team is leading – otherwise the match will continue until the end of the extra time period. Some fans believe that this rule change makes the game less exciting, while others felt that the game is fairer as a result. The new rule was first applied in the Euro 2004 competition, but it has since been discontinued along with golden goal. All competitions have now reverted to the traditional extra time rules, i.e. they must play the full amount of extra time (two fifteen-minute periods) no matter how many goals are scored.
• After the 2002 World Cup (the 17th World Cup), the current World Cup champion no longer automatically qualifies for the next World Cup finals, as was the case for the champions of all 16 previous World Cups. The first champion forced to re-qualify was Brazil, the 2002 World Cup champions.
• National associations must now enforce immediate suspensions of all players sent off during a game, even if television replays offer compelling evidence of a player's innocence. In particular, Blatter insists that a referee's judgement must be seen as final and that mistakes are part of the game. The English FA, however, has refused to follow this directive, and allows appeals against straight red cards (though not those resulting from two yellows).
• Under Blatter, various rules purported to elevate the moral standards in the playing of the game were implemented including booking players who remove their shirts after scoring a goal starting in 2004, as well as those who are guilty of 'over-zealous celebrations'. The rationale for this particular rule change was that football is a global sport, and thus the sensibilities of conservative nations and spectators must be respected.
• In 2007, Blatter decided that no football matches will be played above 2999 metres (9839 feet) above sea level. This arbitrary number was revised to 3000 meters on June 26, 2007. This may have been aimed to split the opposition group formed by Colombia, Ecuador (who play at altitudes below 3000 meters but above 2500) Bolivia and Peru (with stadia above 3000 meters). This has dramatic consequences for the Bolivian national team, whose stadium is located more than 3000 metres above sea level. Blatter commented that football matches at extreme altitudes belong to the past, and that they are risky for player's health. However, no comprehensive medical studies have been shown to prove this. The andean nations retort saying that playing in hot, humid, sea level temperature is in fact more dangerous, citing the death of Marc-Vivien Foé as an example.

Image File history File links Size of this preview: 493 × 523 pixelsFull resolution (493 × 523 pixel, file size: 84 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) The text below is generated by a template which has been proposed for deletion. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 493 × 523 pixelsFull resolution (493 × 523 pixel, file size: 84 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) The text below is generated by a template which has been proposed for deletion. ... Silver goal was a method used in association football to decide the result of games in elimination matches which end in a draw after the end of the ordinary time. ... The golden goal was a method used in football to decide the winner of games in elimination matches which end in a draw after the end of ordinary time (90 minutes). ... Euro 2004 Logo The 2004 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly called EURO 2004, was held in Portugal between 12 June and 4 July 2004. ... The 2002 Football World Cup (Official name: 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan) was held in South Korea and Japan from May 31 to June 30. ... Qualifying countries The 2002 FIFA World Cup, the 17th staging of the World Cup, was held in South Korea and Japan from May 31 to June 30. ... Misconduct in football (soccer) is any conduct by a player which is deemed by the referee to warrant a disciplinary sanction (caution or dismissal) in accordance with Law 12 the Laws of the Game. ... The Football Association (The FA) is the governing body of football in England (and the Crown dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man). ... Misconduct in football (soccer) is any conduct by a player which is deemed by the referee to warrant a disciplinary sanction (caution or dismissal) in accordance with Law 12 the Laws of the Game. ... Misconduct in football (soccer) is any conduct by a player which is deemed by the referee to warrant a disciplinary sanction (caution or dismissal) in accordance with Law 12 the Laws of the Game. ... Misconduct in football (soccer) is any conduct by a player which is deemed by the referee to warrant a disciplinary sanction (caution or dismissal) in accordance with Law 12 the Laws of the Game. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Marc-Vivien Foé Marc-Vivien Foé (May 1, 1975 – June 26, 2003) was a Cameroonian midfield football player, born in Nkolo, Centre Province, Cameroon. ...

Criticism

Marc Vivien Foe's Death

The handling by Blatter of the death of Marc Vivien Foe on the pitch during the 2003 Confederations Cup has been heavily criticised by many within the sport. Blatter's comments in the days following the player's death, and his decision to allow the minor tournament to continue afterwards angered many within the game. Marc-Vivien Foé Marc-Vivien Foé (May 1, 1975 – June 26, 2003) was a Cameroonian midfield football player, born in Nkolo, Centre Province, Cameroon. ... The 2003 Confederations Cup football tournament was held in France in June 2003. ...

Allegations of corruption

Blatter's 1998 election to the presidency of FIFA over UEFA President Lennart Johansson occurred amidst much controversy.^[2][3] His 2002's candidacy has also been marked with rumors of financial irregularities and backroom dealings,^[4] culminating with direct accusations of bribery made in the British press by the Farra Ado, vice-president of the CAF and president of the Somalian football association, who claimed to have been offered $100,000 to vote for Blatter. "The night before the election people were lining up in Le Meridien Hotel (in Paris) to receive money. Some told me they got $50,000 before the vote and the same the next day, after Blatter won".^[5] The Union of European Football Associations, almost always referred to by the acronym UEFA (pronounced (you-AY-fuh) or (oo-Ay-fuh) or ), is the administrative and controlling body for European football. ... Lennart Johansson (born November 5, 1929) is the president of UEFA, the Union of European Football Associations since 1990. ...

Also in 2002, FIFA's general-secretary Michael Zen-Ruffinen, drew up a dossier outlining allegations of financial mismanagement within the organisation.^[6] The dossier alleged that the collapse of FIFA’s marketing partner ISL had led to losses of up to $100m under Blatter's management. The allegations were backed by Johansson,^[7] and the dossier was handed to the Swiss authorities, but in the end no action was taken.^[8] Also, an internal investigation within FIFA was halted by Blatter, which was seen by many as proof of his guilt.^[9] Zen-Ruffinen was removed from office by Blatter immediately before the FIFA World Cup 2002.^[10] The 2002 FIFA World Cup (Official name: 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan) was held in South Korea and Japan from May 31 to June 30. ...

In May 2006, British investigative reporter Andrew Jennings' book Foul^[11] caused controversy within the football world by detailing an alleged international cash-for-contracts scandal following the collapse of FIFA's marketing partner ISL, and revealed how some football officials have been urged to secretly repay the sweeteners they received. The book also spoke of blatant vote-rigging that went on behind closed doors in the fight for Blatter's continued control of FIFA. Categories: Possible copyright violations ...

This is an extract of a review made by David Goldblatt for the British paper The Independent and published on June 09, 2006: "Official FIFA business, always an opulent inter-continental affair, has spiralled to grotesque levels. The massively enlarged carbuncle of football bureaucrats, created by Blatter as a phalanx of kept support, have lived the high life. In addition to the five-star, business-class, black-Mercedes arrangements, all have been allowed a daily expenses rate of 500 euros, for which no receipts or accounts are required. Members of the executive committee were handed $50,000 honorariums. President Blatter's salary and accounts remain, despite repeated requests, a matter of complete secrecy".^[12] The publishing of the book in Switzerland was banned since Zürich-based FIFA sought and obtained a temporary injunction.^[13]

2006 FIFA World Cup

During the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, Blatter's absence during the prize-podium events was noted and criticized in international media, as it was considered odd by many that FIFA's president was not present during the climax of FIFA's biggest event. Qualifying countries The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the eighteenth instance of the FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international association football world championship tournament. ...

Blatter also made the press for comments made after a controversial second-round match between Portugal and the Netherlands, which saw referee Valentin Ivanov issuing a record 16 yellow cards and four red cards. After the match, Blatter lambasted the officiating, and said that Ivanov should have given himself a yellow card for his poor performance as a referee.^[14] However, on the day when Ivanov turned 45, Blatter said he regretted his words and promised to officially apologise to Ivanov.^[15] Valentin Valentinovich Ivanov (born July 4, 1961) is a Russian international football referee. ...

Furthermore in an interview with an Australian channel where he said that Australia should have won and not Italy. He claims that the penalty given to Italy was not a penalty. The statement angered the Italian football federation FIGC which has asked for an apology. Blatter the next day said that he was misinterpreted and that he wanted to say to the Australian fans that their team had played a great game.^[16] Many Italians reacted to Blatter's comments by starting online petitions to have him removed from FIFA, and football completely.^[17]

Comments about women's football

Blatter incurred the ire of women footballers the world over in 2004 when he suggested that women should "wear tighter shorts". ^[18] UEFA Womens Cup Final 2005 at Potsdam Womens association football is the most prominent team sport for women in many countries, and one of the few womens team sports with professional leagues. ...

References

Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 92nd day of the year (93rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 93rd day of the year (94th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays full 2006 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 177th day of the year (178th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays full 2006 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 177th day of the year (178th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays full 2006 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 185th day of the year (186th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays full 2006 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 303rd day of the year (304th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays full 2006 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 302nd day of the year (303rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 92nd day of the year (93rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 16th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ... is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• FIFA President's page on official website of FIFA
• Excerpt from 'Foul' by Andrew Jennings
• 2002 Observer article outlining criticism of Blatter
• TIME Europe article on Zen-Ruffinen's allegations
• Sepp Blatter Revealed on CNN.com