Sepp Blatter: The Controversies Behind the Head of FIFA

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has yet again found a way to weasel and snake his way into what is another controversy.

This time Blatter is being held accountable for his words about gays at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

"I would say they [gay fans] should refrain from any sexual activities," said Blatter.

Homosexuality is illegal in the small Middle East nation of Qatar. 

This is just another notch in the old belt for Blatter, who has had his share of comments blasted by media members over the years. Now, a leading international gay rights group are condemning the words said by the most powerful man in football.

“It’s disappointing to see that an organization that is promoting the game, which in its statutes condemns discrimination of any kind, is coming out with comments like this,” said Juris Lavrikovs, communications director for the European branch of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association.

Again, Blatter is no stranger to comments that are detrimental to his status as the head of FIFA. In 2006, Blatter made comments referring to referee Valentin Ivanov who, issued 16 yellow cards and four red cards in a 2nd round match between Portugal and the Netherlands.

Also, in 2004 the Guardian in London received a quote about women's football from Mr. Blatter. Blatter was asked how to better the women's game to which he said, "Let the women play in more feminine clothes like they do in volleyball."

Blatter continued about his comment saying, "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?"

Blatter needs to step down after these comments, as he has been nothing but bad for the FIFA organization. Not only has he made his fair share of controversial comments, but he is alleged to have made numerous back door dealings to become FIFA head and bribes from World Cup host bidders.

He is also famous for blowing off the Italian National team after their 2006 World Cup victory.

His reason for not showing up? He was afraid of being booed and heckled by the crowd. His snub of Italy was linked to the Italian match fixing scandals, but no evidence or proof to this claim have ever been brought forward.

According to the United Kingdom's The Observer, a Middle-Eastern ruler backed Blatter and allegedly paid $50,000 to 20 of the most prolific and leading figures in football that amounted to a total of $1 million in bribes.

Blatter is also accused of creating an unofficial deal with UEFA head Michael Platini to ensure a 2018 World Cup hosting bid victory by a European country. The 2018 was fought for by five European countries after numerous countries dropped out of bidding to focus on the 2022 World Cup hosting rights. The 2018 World Cup then went to Russia.

Fact of the matter is Blatter should be axed or resign. There is no reason a man of this much power and having accumulated this much controversy should be allowed to lead football's governing body, let alone even work as a manager in a Burger King in your local town.

Blatter is bad for everyone. Just plain bad for football.