Sepp Blatter, the former FIFA president who led the organisation for 17 years until 2015, criticises a new FIFA plan that would sell a stake in the World Cup to outside investors. In his comments, Blatter argues that the proposal further distances the tournament from fans and contributes to FIFA’s business approach rather than keeping the “people’s game” at its centre.
Multiple outlets report that Blatter, long a vocal critic of FIFA after leaving office, is challenging the direction of FIFA under current leadership. The Independent also notes that he takes fresh swipes at FIFA following the reveal of the World Cup sell-off plan, framing his criticism as part of an ongoing dispute over FIFA’s governance and commercial priorities.
Al Jazeera and Channel NewsAsia both describe Blatter’s strong reaction to the investor stake proposal, while focusing on how it would change the World Cup’s ownership and financing model. Together, the reports present Blatter’s position as broadly opposed to the idea of involving investors in a stake tied to the tournament.
