Sepp Blatter

Date of Birth: March 10, 1936

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Biography

Joseph “Sepp” Blatter, born Joseph Blatter on March 10, 1936, in Visp, Switzerland, is a prominent Swiss football administrator who served as the eighth President of FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) from 1998 to 2015. Blatter’s tenure at FIFA was marked by significant growth in the organization’s commercial revenue and the global expansion of the sport. However, his leadership was also marred by numerous allegations of corruption and scandals that plagued FIFA during his time in charge. Blatter began his career in the world of sports administration at the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation before moving to FIFA in 1975. He initially served as Director of Technical Development Programs, eventually rising through the ranks to become General Secretary in 1981, and later, President in 1998, succeeding João Havelange. During his presidency, Blatter focused on expanding FIFA’s reach by awarding World Cup hosting rights to countries outside the traditional football powerhouses, including South Korea and Japan (2002), South Africa (2010), and Brazil (2014). Despite these achievements, his time at FIFA was overshadowed by widespread allegations of corruption, culminating in his suspension from all football-related activities by FIFA’s Ethics Committee in 2015.

5 Interesting Facts about Sepp Blatter

1. Blatter studied at the University of Lausanne, where he earned a degree in Business Administration and Economics.

2. He was instrumental in introducing the FIFA Women’s World Cup, with the first tournament held in 1991 in China.

3. In 2004, Blatter was awarded the Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo by South Africa for his contributions to the country’s successful bid to host the 2010 World Cup.

4. Blatter has been involved in numerous controversies, including allegations of bribery and financial mismanagement, leading to his eventual ban from FIFA.

5. Under Blatter’s leadership, FIFA’s financial reserves grew significantly, from $20 million in 1998 to over $1.5 billion by 2015.