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The original was posted on /r/soccer by /u/Sparky-moon on 2026-01-30 06:17:54+00:00.
In this interview, Pieth explains that “the marginalization of political opponents and abuses by immigration authorities (ICE) discourage supporters from traveling there,” adding that “in terms of security, the United States is in a similar situation to Mexico.” Blatter shared the link to this interview, commenting: “I think Mark Pieth is right to question this World Cup.”
Why did you decide to share this highly critical interview?
First of all, I didn’t talk about a boycott. I simply said that it was good that someone was looking at this World Cup and thinking about what was going on. Secondly, regarding the repercussions, I was surprised that my name was “carried” in this popularity (many comments on his tweet, in relation to his role as former FIFA boss, are also harsh and negative). I think that’s great for me!
But your message is also directed at your successor, Gianni Infantino.
Of course, it’s a little dig at Infantino, but also at most of the national federations that are allowing themselves to be lulled into complacency. And then my resentment also stems from the fact that they continue to harass me in court in Zurich (Blatter is referring in particular to FIFA proceedings challenging the awarding of huge bonuses to him and other former FIFA executives at the end of 2010, on the grounds of the economic success of the World Cup in South Africa, which had taken place a few months earlier).
“It was an incomprehensible spectacle. It is not the role of FIFA, which should not be political, to award such a prize.”
Sepp Blatter, on the prize awarded to Donald Trump by FIFA.
Do you agree with Michel Platini, who recently said that Gianni Infantino had “gone autocratic”?
Infantino doesn’t run FIFA like a president, but like a king. No one opposes him and he has two major allies: the United States and Saudi Arabia. He decided to award his “Peace Prize” to his buddy Donald Trump (during the World Cup final draw on December 5) without asking anyone. It was an incomprehensible spectacle. It is not the role of FIFA, which should not be political, to award such a prize. And I, like in the Bible, am preaching in the desert.
Who would you see as a credible candidate against Gianni Infantino in the next election (his current term ends next year)?
Lord Sebastian Coe (the British president of World Athletics), even though he is no longer young (69). I am still in contact with him. He was a great athlete (double Olympic champion in the 1,500 meters in 1980 and 1984) and has a strong personality.
Mark Pieth and “hate messages”
Contacted following the repercussions of his interview with Tages-Anzeiger, which was republished on X by Sepp Blatter, Mark Pieth (72), former head of the “independent governance commission” tasked with initiating reforms at FIFA (2011-2013) under Sepp Blatter’s reign, explains that he has had “no contact” with the Upper Valais native. “But he sees the problem and the risks, which are not something I have invented,” the lawyer continues. “And there may be a personal aspect with Infantino. There is a lot of animosity between the two, but that’s none of my business.”
Mark Pieth also deplores a wave of “hate messages” following his interview, the audience for which was amplified by Blatter’s retweet on X. “I receive very aggressive anonymous emails, and that strengthens my convictions,” he explains. “I like the United States, but right now it’s a dangerous country.”