Blatter says FIFA needs leader from 'outside the system'

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FILE PHOTO - Former FIFA President Joseph Blatter speaks in an interview during FIFA World Cup 2018. Federico Gambarini/dpa

Former FIFA president Joseph Blatter has hinted that successor Gianni Infantino should leave following the Folarin Balogun affair.

Infantino is adamant a call from US President Donald Trump had no impact on the decision to suspend a ban for the US player and allow him to play in the World Cup last-16 defeat to Belgium on Monday.

But Blatter, whose stint in charge was beset by corruption allegations, says his fellow Swiss has demeaned the office amid widespread global outrage.

"Today's FIFA president has submitted to Donald Trump. That must not happen," Blatter told Swiss news portal nau.ch on Tuesday having already heavily criticized FIFA in a post on X the day before.

Taking a broader view of the FIFA presidency, Blatter said he could imagine a change.

"Above all, it needs a personality who is independent," the 90-year-old said. "Perhaps even someone from outside the system."

Infantino has been a football functionary for decades, having been UEFA secretary general before assuming the top job at FIFA in 2016.

Blatter, who was FIFA president from 1998 to 2015, also slammed the behaviour of Trump given his nation is co-hosting the World Cup.

"Trump's intervention is unacceptable. Something like that would not have happened in my time," he said.

Although there had in the past been mutual respect between heads of state and the FIFA president, nobody would have thought of trying to influence sporting decisions, Blatter argued.

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