What Happened to Joseph 'Sepp' Blatter?
Sepp Blatter, the former president of FIFA, presided over global football for 17 years before a widespread corruption scandal led to his resignation and multiple bans from the sport. Despite being acquitted in Swiss fraud trials in 2022 and 2025, he remains banned from all football-related activities until June 2028 and has recently become a vocal critic of FIFA's current leadership and the 2026 World Cup.
Quick Answer
Sepp Blatter is currently banned from all football-related activities until June 2028 due to breaches of FIFA's ethics code. Although he was acquitted in two Swiss fraud trials alongside Michel Platini in 2022 and 2025 concerning a 2 million Swiss franc payment, his ban from football remains in effect. As of 2026, he has been publicly critical of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the leadership of his successor, Gianni Infantino.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Born in Visp, Switzerland
Josef Blatter, later known as Sepp Blatter, was born in Visp, Valais, Switzerland.
Appointed FIFA General Secretary
After joining FIFA in 1975 as technical director, Blatter was appointed General Secretary, a position he held until becoming president.
Elected FIFA President
Blatter was elected as the eighth president of FIFA, succeeding João Havelange, and began a 17-year tenure.
US Indictments and Re-election
U.S. authorities announced a major investigation into FIFA corruption, indicting several officials. Despite the scandal, Blatter was re-elected for his fifth term as president.
Announces Resignation from FIFA Presidency
Six days after the U.S. indictments, Blatter announced he would call for new elections and would not stand for re-election, though he remained in his position until a successor was chosen.
Suspended by FIFA Ethics Committee
Blatter was suspended from FIFA for 90 days amid investigations into a 2 million Swiss franc payment to Michel Platini.
Banned from Football for Eight Years
FIFA's Ethics Committee banned Blatter and Platini for eight years over the 'disloyal payment'. This ban was later reduced to six years on appeal in February 2016.
Receives Second FIFA Ban, Extending Exclusion Until 2028
FIFA extended Blatter's ban by six years and eight months, along with a fine of one million Swiss francs, for breaches of the ethics code related to 'extraordinary bonuses', meaning he is banned until June 2028.
Formally Charged by Swiss Authorities
Swiss authorities formally charged Blatter and Michel Platini with fraud and falsifying documents in connection with the 2 million Swiss franc payment.
Acquitted in First Swiss Fraud Trial
A Swiss Federal Criminal Court found Blatter and Platini not guilty of fraud charges related to the 2 million Swiss franc payment, accepting their 'gentleman's agreement' defense.
Acquitted Again in Appeal Trial
Blatter and Platini were acquitted for a second time by the Extraordinary Appeals Chamber of the Swiss Criminal Court, after federal prosecutors appealed the 2022 verdict.
Warns Fans Against Traveling to US for 2026 World Cup
Blatter publicly advised fans to avoid traveling to the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing concerns over safety, political issues, and immigration policies.
Criticizes 2026 World Cup and Calls for 'New Leadership' at FIFA
Following the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Blatter criticized the tournament for 'losing its credibility' due to politics and commercialization, and called for new leadership at FIFA, targeting Gianni Infantino.
Continues Criticism of FIFA's Current Direction
Blatter continued his public criticism of FIFA and Gianni Infantino, particularly regarding plans to sell stakes in FIFA competitions to private investors, reiterating his view that the organization has lost its way.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Joseph 'Sepp' Blatter's career at the pinnacle of international football spanned decades, culminating in his 17-year tenure as President of FIFA from 1998 to 2015. He initially joined FIFA in 1975 as technical director and became general secretary in 1981, steadily building influence within the organization.
His presidency, however, was increasingly marred by allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement. The scandal reached a critical point in May 2015 when the U.S. Department of Justice indicted several current and former FIFA officials on charges of racketeering, wire fraud, and money laundering. Despite being re-elected for a fifth term just days after the initial arrests, Blatter announced his resignation on June 2, 2015, amid immense pressure.
In October 2015, Blatter was suspended by FIFA's Ethics Committee, and in December of that year, he was banned from all football-related activities for eight years, a sanction later reduced to six years on appeal in February 2016. The ban stemmed from a 'disloyal payment' of 2 million Swiss francs made to then-UEFA president Michel Platini in 2011 for advisory work allegedly performed between 1998 and 2002, which prosecutors deemed to be without a legal basis.
The legal troubles continued. In March 2021, FIFA's Ethics Committee imposed a second ban on Blatter for six years and eight months, along with a fine of one million Swiss francs, for receiving 'undue economic benefits' and approving excessive bonuses to other officials. This extended his exclusion from football until June 2028. Swiss authorities formally charged Blatter and Platini with fraud and falsifying documents in November 2021.
However, in July 2022, a Swiss Federal Criminal Court acquitted both Blatter and Platini of fraud charges, accepting their explanation of a verbal 'gentleman's agreement' for the payment. Swiss federal prosecutors appealed this verdict, leading to a second trial. In March 2025, Blatter and Platini were acquitted for a second time by the Extraordinary Appeals Chamber of the Swiss Criminal Court, effectively ending the criminal proceedings against them regarding the payment. Despite these acquittals, Blatter's FIFA ban remains in place until 2028.
As of 2026, Blatter, now 90 years old, remains an active, albeit unofficial, voice in football. He publicly criticized the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, claiming it 'lost its credibility' due to political influence and commercialization. He has also called for 'new leadership' at FIFA, directing his criticism towards current president Gianni Infantino, highlighting ongoing tensions between the former and current heads of global football.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Joseph 'Sepp' Blatter made different choices?