Sepp Blatter, the man who holds a reputation in the sporting world as low as Edward II in Scotland, Piers Morgan in the US and CJ from Eggheads in the minds of daytime Quiz show viewers. The impertinent quote-vendor can’t quite keep his mouth shut when it comes to giving an opinion, sprouting views vaguely reminiscent to the old racist, homophobic and sexist that you’d find sipping Gin in the corner of a pub on a Monday evening; Mr Blatter seems to get it wrong, time and time again. We give you our pick of his most outrageous comments:
ON WOMEN’S FOOTBALL
In January 2004, Blatter did himself no favours by suggesting that the female players should dress more provocatively on the field. This was his idea of increasing the global appeal of the sport; taking it away from spectators who are there to actually watch football, instead replacing them with sociopathic perverts.
‘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?’
ON RONALDO AS A SLAVE
Blatter took it to another level during the United and Madrid saga over money-crazed Cristiano Ronaldo, comparing his ‘tough’ decision of leaving United to the fallen slaves of the past who endured gruelling and disgusting treatment and went weeks without food.
‘I think in football there’s too much modern slavery in transferring players or buying players here and there, and putting them somewhere,’
ON HOMOSEXUALITY
Not that there wasn’t enough controversy when Qatar were awarded the World Cup for 2022, Blatter tried to put a light touch on the sensitive issue over the concerns of Qatar’s views to homosexuality.
‘I’d say they [gay fans] should refrain from any sexual activities.’
ON THE TERRY AND BRIDGE FIASCO
Seeing infidelity as acceptable isn’t going to bargain you any friends, nor will condemning a whole Latin culture as morally inept in a single utterance.
‘Listen this is an approach in the Anglo-Saxon countries,’ to Terry losing his captaincy, ‘If this had happened in let’s say a Latin country then I think he would have been applauded.’
ON RACISM IN FOOTBALL
Attempting to subtly sweep the issue of racism under the turf didn’t go down too well for Blatter, when he claimed that the previous centuries of imbalance, inequality and extreme hurt that racism had caused could be solved by a casual handshake.
‘There is no racism [on the field], but maybe there is a word or gesture that is not correct. The one affected by this should say this is a game and shake hands.’
ON MATCH FIXING
Another case of Blatter thinking before speaking, this time Africa is the victim…
‘I could understand it if it had happened in Africa, but not in Italy.’
ON FEMALE COLLEAGUES
After his suggestion for tighter shorts in women’s football, it was quite impressive that Blatter could get more controversial, this time attacking the gossiping of his female colleagues.
‘We now have three ladies on the board,’ Blatter announced proudly. ‘Say something, ladies! You are always speaking at home, say something now!’
Words: Oliver Jarvis
Article featured on Rocca News [29.05.2015]
Oliver jarvis 