Sepp Blatter

18 Stories

Ex-FIFA Boss: World Cup in Qatar Was a Bad Call

Host nation lacks accommodations for all attendees

(Newser) - The former president of FIFA, world soccer's governing body, says he wanted this year's World Cup to be held in the US but has now decided it was a "mistake" to award it to Qatar. Sepp Blatter says that when FIFA's executive committee made the decision...

Hope Solo Accuses Ex-FIFA Head of Sexual Assault

She says Sepp Blatter groped her backstage during a 2013 awards show

(Newser) - Soccer player Hope Solo says she was sexually assaulted by the former president of FIFA during the 2013 Ballon d'Or awards ceremony, the New York Daily News reports. The goalkeeper for the US Women's National Team tells Portuguese newspaper Tribuna Expresso that she "had Sepp Blatter grab...

Exec Whose Admissions Started FIFA Scandal Is Dead at 72

Chuck Blazer 'felt profound sorrow and regret for his actions,' his lawyers say

(Newser) - Chuck Blazer, the disgraced American soccer exec whose corruption admissions set off a global scandal that toppled FIFA President Sepp Blatter , died Wednesday, reportedly in New Jersey. He was 72, the AP reports. At a November 2013 court hearing during which Blazer entered guilty pleas to 10 federal charges, Blazer...

FIFA Stunner: Defiant Blatter Banned 8 Years

'I'll be back': Sepp Blatter shows zero remorse

(Newser) - Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini were each banned for eight years by the FIFA ethics committee on Monday in a stunning removal of world soccer's most powerful leaders. FIFA President Blatter and his one-time protege Platini were kicked out of the sport for conflict of interest and disloyalty...

FIFA Chief Now Under Criminal Investigation

By Swiss authorities

(Newser) - FIFA President Sepp Blatter was placed under criminal investigation by Swiss authorities today as a probe into soccer corruption reached the highest levels and left his grip on the top job in peril. The Swiss attorney general's office opened proceedings against Blatter for possible criminal mismanagement and misappropriation of...

Putin: FIFA Chief Deserves a Nobel Prize

He 'doesn't believe a word' about Blatter being corrupt

(Newser) - Scandal-plagued FIFA chief Sepp Blatter is not only innocent, he's worthy of a Nobel Prize, according to Vladimir Putin. The Russian leader—who joined Blatter for the 2018 World Cup qualifying draw in St. Petersburg on Saturday—says Blatter and other heads of major sporting federations "deserve special...

Russia, Qatar Could Be Stripped of World Cups

Swiss investigators announce massive bank investigation

(Newser) - Banks in Switzerland have reported 53 possible acts of money laundering in the investigation of FIFA's 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding contests, the country's attorney general said today. Michael Lauber described a "huge and complex" case that targets "criminal mismanagement and money laundering" in the...

Why Cannes Showed That Awful FIFA Movie

Gerard Depardieu lobbied, 'a lot,' says Cannes director Thierry Fremaux

(Newser) - Actor Gerard Depardieu personally intervened to persuade the Cannes Film Festival to show the FIFA-funded movie United Passions, which earned $607 in its US debut and reviews that branded it "pure cinematic excrement." Cannes director Thierry Fremaux said he initially rejected the movie, thinking it unworthy of the...

FIFA's Former VP Promises 'Avalanche' of Secrets

... Involving Sepp Blatter, Trinidad and Tobago's general election in 2010

(Newser) - FIFA's former vice president, now on Interpol's most wanted list , says he has documents that contain an "avalanche" of secrets about soccer's governing body, including a link to Trinidad and Tobago's general election in 2010. In an eight-minute paid political advertisement that aired on TV...

FIFA Chief Quits 4 Days After He's Re-Elected

Sepp Blatter will serve until new president is elected

(Newser) - Sepp Blatter's triumphant fifth term as president of FIFA is crashing to a halt after all of four days. Blatter today announced that he will resign as president of soccer's governing body as soon as a successor is named in special elections, reports the BBC . In an almost...

What Scandal? FIFA President Wins Re-Election

Sepp Blatter remains in charge of the soccer body

(Newser) - He's not called "one of the most powerful people in sports" for nothing: FIFA has re-elected longtime president Sepp Blatter to another term despite a massive corruption scandal that has resulted in the arrests of several top aides, reports the AP . The 79-year-old didn't win on the...

FIFA Corruption Scandal: What to Know, Read, Watch

Vladimir Putin, Jon Stewart, Loretta Lynch, et al

(Newser) - It's FIFA corruption scandal , day two. Here's a guide to what you should know, watch, and read:
  • Vladimir Putin had strong words for the US regarding yesterday's FIFA arrests, which he framed as "yet another blatant attempt [by the United States] to extend its jurisdiction to
...

FIFA Prez Slammed Over World Cup Gay Joke

Sepp Blatter recommends gay football fans not have sex in Qatar

(Newser) - Sepp Blatter will probably think a bit longer before he speaks next time: The FIFA president is being criticized for an ill-advised joke he made while discussing the World Cup in Qatar . Blatter was asked about the potential problems inherent in hosting the competition in the Middle East for the...

FIFA to Brits: Uh, Sorry About That Goal
 FIFA to Brits: 
 Uh, Sorry 
 About That Goal 
WILL REVISIT REPLAY ISSUE
Jun 29, 2010 6:44 AM CDT

FIFA to Brits: Uh, Sorry About That Goal

Soccer's governing body considers replay after botched call

(Newser) - FIFA's president is apologizing to the Brits over Frank Lampard's disallowed goal, and just to show he's extra sorry, Sepp Blatter says he's open to revisiting the need for instant replay, reports the Telegraph. As recently as March, FIFA was smugly eschewing replay, but two high profile botched calls in...

US Finally Buying Soccer's Pitch
 US Finally Buying 
 Soccer's Pitch 
ANALYSIS
Jul 29, 2009 11:58 AM CDT

US Finally Buying Soccer's Pitch

Viewership is soaring ahead of all-star game

(Newser) - After years of intermittent sniffling, Americans may finally be catching soccer fever, the Wall Street Journal reports: Some 4 million watched the US men’s team almost beat Brazil last month; some 2 million are likely to attend games featuring top European teams this summer; Seattle’s Major League Soccer...

South Africa Proves World Cup Ready
 South Africa Proves 
 World Cup Ready 
analysis
Jul 1, 2009 4:50 PM CDT

South Africa Proves World Cup Ready

Critics hushed by successful Confederations Cup

(Newser) - With the just-completed Confederations Cup a success, South Africa has passed its dress rehearsal for the 2010 World Cup, Nicolas Brulliard writes for GlobalPost. The African nation faced more scrutiny than any previous host, but that now appears overblown. Enthusiastic fans turned up despite the winter chill, and the nation’...

Obama May Attend 2010 World Cup

US on verge of qualifying for soccer's biggest event

(Newser) - The world's soccer body has invited Barack Obama to next year's World Cup in South Africa, reports the AP, the first time the tournament will be held on the continent. "Obama has said, 'If I can, I will come,'" says FIFA chief Sepp Blatter. The United States team...

Euro Soccer Bosses & Players Union Sign New Deal

Agreement covers issues including players' rights and transfers

(Newser) - European soccer's governing body UEFA and the players' union FIFPro signed an agreement Thursday covering areas such as contract transfers and players' rights of employment.  The deal should prevent another Bosman ruling, the landmark 1995 decision in which the European Court of Justice gave athletes more freedom to change...

18 Stories