The former FIFA president, Swiss Sepp Blatter, lauched a surprise tirade on the man who succeeded him as FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, in an interview with Keystone-SDA, as Swiss prosecutors have formally dropped one of the corrupt cases against him.
“Gianni Infantino wants to turn football into a huge money machine,” Blatter caimed.
“He wants everything to be bigger.
“A World Cup of 48 teams, the Goal project renamed because he wants three times more money.
“A big Club World Cup with 24 teams, passing the Women’s World Cup from 24 to 32 teams.
“It’s not possible, it’s too heavy to digest.”
The 48-team World Cup is set to come into force in 2026, when the United States, Canada and Mexico are due to co-host the event.
The 2023 Women’s World Cup, a host for which will be announced later this month, will be the first 32-team edition of the tournament.
A revamped Club World Cup is expected to be first played in 2021.
Blatter finished his tirade by labeling Infantino a “megalomaniac”.
He plays with himself because he is imbued with himself,” said Blatter.
“He has become a megalomaniac.
“In his arrogance, he no longer speaks to the Presidents of the associations but only to heads of state.”