Five of Sepp Blatter’s most controversial quotes
As the pressure grows on Fifa chief Sepp Blatter, we pick out five of his most outlandish quotes
Fifa president Sepp Blatter has come under increasing pressure over the past 48 hours for his comments on racism in football.
Blatter has since apologised for the remarks but insists he will not step down as a result of the controversy.
However, it is not the first time the Fifa president’s words have caused a stir. Here, The Sport Review takes a look at five of his other outlandish musings.
Blatter’s suggestion for women’s football
“Let the women play in more feminine clothes like they do in volleyball. They could, for example, have tighter shorts. Female players are pretty, if you excuse me for saying so, and they already have some different rules to men ““ such as playing with a lighter ball. That decision was taken to create a more female aesthetic, so why not do it in fashion?”
The Fifa chief landed himself in hot water in 2004 when he suggested that women should wear “tighter shorts” to generate more interest in the female version of the game.
Fifa chief brushes off corruption allegations
“Crisis? What is a crisis? Football is not in a crisis.”
In May this year, Blatter defiantly denied claims that the world football body was in crisis amid corruption allegations directed at Fifa officials Mohamed Bin Hammam and Jack Warner.
Just under two months later Bin Hammann was banned for life from all football activities following a Fifa ethics committee hearing, and Warner has since resigned.
Blatter’s take on “modern slavery” in football
“I think in football there’s too much modern slavery in transferring players or buying players here and there, and putting them somewhere.”
Blatter leapt to the defence of Cristiano Ronaldo, then of Manchester United, in 2008, insisting the Portuguese winger should be allowed to leave Old Trafford.
No! to technology in football
“Please do not insist on the technology. The day that the referee takes two captains aside to study monitors and see if something is inside the box or outside is the day the spectators will say no, we are not coming to the game.”
In 2009, the head of Fifa insisted that technology would not be introduced during his reign. Goal-line technology is currently being trialled at Fifa’s headquarters.
Advice for gay football fans at the 2022 World Cup
“I would say they should refrain from any sexual activities.”
In 2010, Blatter joked that gay people should not indulge in “sexual activities” at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, given that homosexuality is illegal in the Gulf state.
