5 reasons why Sepp Blatter should quit

Sepp Blatter is one of the most powerful men in sport administration in, without a shadow of doubt, the emperor of all sports. Anyone re-elected to the post on four occasions during a nine year stint as FIFA president would give a novice the impression that he is the most favoured statesman to govern the sport on the planet. However, Blatter has been nothing but surplus baggage to football since 1975 occupying various positions at FIFA as a result of which he has maintained a vice-like grip over his peers, thus, explaining his dominance in the organization and paradoxically, the game has taken a pounding with him at the helm of affairs. The president is known more for his disparaging remarks on subjects related to the sport and of late, there has been relentless pressure on him to step down. Let’s examine some of the motives behind the escalating appeals for him to quit.

Fraudulence Personified

There has been a series of corruption and bribery allegations against the 75-year old Swiss not just in recent times but since his re-election to the post of president in 2002. But on every single occasion, he has managed to pull strings and walk away scot-free. The most high-profile incident being the recent World Cup bid for 2022 earlier this year. Qatar was controversially awarded the 2022 World Cup despite doubts over the capacity of the Gulf nation to stage the competition, and numerous claims that the vote had been manipulated in favour of the Arab nation with two members of the committee receiving bribes to the tune of millions by supposedly, the then president of the Asian Football Federation and Qatari national, Mohammad Bin Hammam, who has now been banned from footballing administration following the accusations leveled against him.

There has also been speculation that there might be an investigation on the bid and a probable re-vote. Could Blatter have been involved in the decision to ban Hammam as the Qatari posed a threat to him for the presidential post at FIFA? It’s all a hazy image at the moment with the blatant truth yet to come out and probably never will thanks to Blatter’s mastery over behind-the-scenes and under-the-table occurrences at FIFA.

Techno…What?!

The powerful Swiss has time and again evaded the subject of employing technology in the sport and has repeatedly pointed out that if at all embraced, the game would be robbed of the element of human error which forms an essential part of the game! It is a wonder how he has incessantly turned a blind eye to a series of dubious referring decisions and howlers at the top level in recent years; for instance, how can he disregard the disallowed Frank Lampard goal in the 2010 World Cup against Germany which turned the match and the tournament on it’s head?

Another sophisticated event was the crucial 2010 world cup qualifier between France and Ireland in 2009 when France’s William Galls scored a last-gasp winner thanks to an assist by Thierry Henry which involved Henry using his hand to get the ball. The referees failed to spot the hand ball thus allowing the goal to stand and in the process dashing Irish hopes of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup. In the wake of this incident, Blatter nonchalantly opted to move on to other frivolous matters deemed important only to him. These two incidents prove that his focus is solely on wealth and not on carrying the beloved game forward; he continues to live in Stone Age.

Chauvinism

Women’s football has always played second fiddle to their male counterpart. However, in recent times, the 2011 women’s World Cup threw up many exciting matches & stars and the final between Japan & the United States was a thrill-a-minute encounter with Japan emerging victorious – an obvious indication that women’s football is on the rise and fiercely competitive. On the subject of elevating the popularity of women’s football, Blatter had to face the storm from footballers both past and present in 2004 when he went on record to say that women footballers need to reveal more skin when playing to attract crowds – how insensitive and despicable can one be and this is the president of one of the world’s most powerful body in question here. Is this the only solution he could offer to promote the women’s game? In typical Blatteresque fashion, all he could offer was an apology for his insensitive remarks.

Moving on to the subject of Qatar playing host to the 2022 World Cup and being a country where homosexuality is illegitimate, Blatter bluntly said that “Gays should refrain from sexual activities in the country”. So, now the incomparable babbler has taken on the role of human rights activist. His comments drew criticism from several gay rights groups and various sports personalities.

Baffling Rules

Diving by players is conventional these days on the field in their attempt to engineer a decision in their favour (no prizes for guessing who the master at that is!). While Blatter has repeatedly stated that players should refrain from diving, he has done nothing to crack down on this cowardly approach adopted by players; a mandatory yellow card is not going to stop a player from repeating the act in future games. Sadly, it continues to thrive at the top level and there seems to be no end in sight. Moreover, to top that, he has gone all out in giving referees the liberty to caution players who indulge in over-zealous celebrations! Even an laymen would know which facet has a greater bearing on the outcome of a game.

Racism

Blatter’s comment about the extent of racism in football after recent allegations against John Terry and Luis Suarez in the English Premier League takes the cake with a cherry on top. The grand statesman claims that racism is not a serious issue and that if it rears its ugly head, the solution is a mere handshake after the game! As is customary with the capitalist, Blatter offered yet another apology for what is now predictable from a leader whose remarks invoke utter disbelief. Having recently conducted a study on racism in football and the mental torture the players endure, Blatter’s remarks come as a shocker and least expected from a person who has the tools and powers at his disposal to stamp out the weed from the sport. His remarks prove yet again that his objective is to merely mint money and wash his hands off the recurring issue of racism in football.

These reasons evidently document that the time is ripe for Blatter to resign. His presence is not helping the sport that has now evolved into a culture across the globe. As long as Blatter remains at the helm, the sport is doomed. As he recently said, “Football will be recognized in our society as a social and cultural tool (?!); as a game based on discipline, respect, combat and the spirit of fair play (?!!); bring the game into family, business and into our communities (?!). Let the game touch the world and prepare a better future”. Looking back at his track record over the years, Blatter might be better off doing stand-up comedy and should generously make way for a much more efficient and reliable successor who has actively played the game for a long period and understands the nuances of the game and its administration. The world is aware that Blatter will continue to chatter as long as he is the forerunner and he needs to make his exit now.