Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has launched a scathing attack on his successor Gianni Infantino, labeling the current FIFA chief a "dictator" and suggesting he requires psychiatric help.
The 89-year-old Blatter, who led FIFA from 1998 to 2015 before being banned from football administration, made the remarks in an interview published Wednesday. Blatter's tenure ended amid a massive corruption scandal that led to his suspension and the election of Infantino in 2016.
Infantino, who has overseen the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams and the creation of new club competitions, has faced criticism over governance and commercial decisions. Blatter's latest comments mark a significant escalation in the public feud between the two Swiss football administrators.
FIFA has not yet responded to Blatter's remarks. The organization's ethics committee previously investigated both men, with Blatter receiving a six-year ban reduced on appeal, while Infantino was cleared of wrongdoing in 2021.
