‘Dictator’ Infantino needs psychiatric help, says former Fifa chief Blatter

Former Fifa president Sepp Blatter has harshly criticized current Fifa chief Gianni Infantino, accusing him of dictatorial behavior and suggesting he requires psychiatric assistance. Blatter, 90, made these remarks in an interview with the German magazine Der Spiegel. He condemned Infantino's creation of the Fifa Peace Prize, which awarded US President Donald Trump, and his plans to sell part of the World Cup's commercial rights in the future.

Blatter described the Peace Prize as "embarrassing" and questioned Infantino's decision to award it to someone who had previously waged war against Iran. He also alleged that Infantino only seeks support from national football bodies in return for more funding, likening him to a "dictator" and stating that people within Fifa fear to ride in elevators with him.

Blatter further criticized Infantino's handling of a red card suspension for USA striker Folarin Balogun, arguing that rules of the game must apply uniformly, and not be subject to interpretation. Fifa responded to Blatter's claims, maintaining that Infantino is fulfilling his presidential duties and that the red card suspension was later lifted by independent judicial bodies.

Blatter's criticism of Infantino comes as Japanese official Kozo Tashima plans to challenge Infantino's re-election bid, with Blatter suggesting Sebastian Coe, the president of World Athletics and chair of the Fifa Ethics Committee, as a preferable alternative.