“Fifa was never corrupt, not even today”

Mr Blatter, when it comes to FIFA, you always speak up publicly. You have long since retired. Why are you doing that?

Loset, I was 38 years old when I came to Fifa. At that time the office in Zurich had eleven people. I was number 12. Of course I wasn’t happy with that number. The number 12 was then the substitute. I never wanted to be. I wanted to advance Fifa, first as director, then as general secretary. And from 1998 as President. A small secretariat has grown into an organization with a turnover in the billions, an internationally recognized institution with great social, economic and political power. Or to put it simply: Fifa was my life.

And today?

I’m fine, fine again. Although I had to get a taste of hospital air for a few months last year, I had a heart problem. But I’m back. And full. When I now see what is happening with Fifa, it hurts me a lot. All I can say is: Fifa, stay in Zurich.

Which brings us to the topic: rumors have recently been circulating that Fifa is moving its headquarters to Paris. What is it?

Apparently there are already agreements between Fifa and French President Emmanuel Macron to set up the organization as a registered association in Paris. I know that this plan is being implemented. As is well known, a house has already been acquired in Paris, a magnificent building from the 18th century in the middle of the city. Although they want to keep most of the jobs in Zurich, the headquarters would then no longer be here. If this idea were presented to the Fifa Congress, I’m sure: the football family doesn’t want that.

What do you expect from Paris? More reputation?

Fifa was founded in Paris, which is why the current Fifa leadership wants to go back there. And yes, probably for reasons of reputation. Paris is a cosmopolitan city, Zurich too, but not as big. We don’t have an Eiffel Tower, just a new concert hall.

When can this move be expected?

Certainly not immediately. Infantino has now moved to Qatar, so he probably won’t move into an apartment in Paris at the same time. I think this step will be taken in the next few years.

“I’m surprised that the authorities aren’t working hard anymore. The city council should finally put on their football shoes!”

There have always been discussions about Fifa’s departure – also under your aegis?

During my time at Fifa – after all, for 41 years – no one ever thought of moving away from Zurich. These discussions have only been going on since the change in leadership. Fifa is important for Zurich and Zurich is important for Fifa. It’s not possible to want to uproot the organization! All the football guests we invited were always happy to be here. At the moment, however, hardly any events are taking place in Zurich.

That’s not true. The Fifa Awards were recently presented here. World footballer Cristiano Ronaldo was there too.

Ronaldo was the only one who made the journey to Zurich. He received a special trophy for his 116 international goals. But everyone else, the best footballer, the best female footballer, the best coach, they were only connected via video call. It wasn’t a show. It used to be different, the whole world was here. Zurich was the most important city in football.

What do you think should happen now?

Not only should I defend myself against the threatened departure of Fifa, but also the city of Zurich. The sports manager should seek talks with Fifa President Gianni Infantino. I’m surprised that the authorities aren’t doing more. The city council should finally put on their soccer shoes!

That probably won’t happen. Many Zurich politicians – especially from left-wing circles – would even welcome FIFA’s departure. City council candidate Walter Angst, for example, said he would not shed any tears for the organization.

When I was President, I had a very good relationship with the Mayor and her predecessors. The same applies to the cantonal government. You shouldn’t always only ask left-wing circles about Fifa.

“You will only realize what you had at Fifa when you are no longer here.”

Nevertheless, in broad circles, Fifa is seen as an enemy, as corrupt.

Fifa has never been corrupt, not even today. There were corrupt people who worked with Fifa. But once you’ve got the corruption tag, it’s hard to shake off. You can say for a long time: the presumption of innocence prevails.

Why is FIFA indispensable for Zurich?

With the Fifa events – the Ballon d’Or, the Fifa Awards, the committee meetings – Zurich was on everyone’s lips. They have given the city an international flair. And brings guests to hoteliers, restaurant operators and shops. Incidentally, Fifa has worked with the authorities before. For example, we donated CHF 25 million to the city to support Zurich football. Allow me to make a comparison.

Please.

In a study one could read how much added value the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee in Lausanne and those of other associations such as Uefa in Nyon bring to the canton of Vaud. Every year it’s about one billion Swiss francs. Zurich’s economy could also generate similar sales thanks to Fifa – if one were honest about it. You won’t realize what you had at Fifa until it’s no longer here. It’s the same with the museum, which should actually be a big attraction.

But it’s not. The Fifa Museum is still in the red. According to a report in the “Handelzeitung”, the previous expenditures amount to 654 million Swiss francs. There is always debate about a closure.

When Fifa discussed the football museum, there were three possible locations: Paris, where Fifa was founded, London, in the homeland of football, and Zurich. A decision was made in favor of Zurich and a modern and attractive meeting and memorial site for football was created. We only get positive feedback from visitors. Absurdly, however, the new Fifa leadership is fighting the museum. A museum has to be looked after, managed and promoted – it is never primarily a profit center. And speaking of the «Handelszeitung»: The representations and figures did not correspond to reality – which was expressed in a counter-statement. A lawsuit has also been filed with the Press Council.

Another point of contention that keeps coming up: Fifa, with sales in the billions, only has to pay half as much profit tax as any other corporation because it is an association.

Fifa pays taxes, every year, and not too little. Of course, not to the same extent as companies. Nevertheless, large sums flow into the state coffers. When I became Fifa President in 1998, the organization was still in the red. When I was politely – or rather impolitely – suspended in 2015, Fifa had reserves of more than one billion francs. This is thanks in particular to sponsorship contracts and broadcasting rights. Or as I say: thanks to the marriage with television.

You haven’t been Fifa president for seven years now. Do you still have any insight into current events within world football’s governing body?

I only know what is in the annual report and in the media. I’m still in contact with people who were already working at Fifa when I was there. But most of them are gone now. And some no longer want any contact with me – including one of my closest employees.

«Gianni told me: write down what you need. Then I heard nothing more.”

Does this also apply to Gianni Infantino?

The sad thing about the whole thing is that when Gianni was elected, he came to me twice. He wanted to talk to me about how to proceed. I told him I was suspended so quickly I couldn’t even take my personal belongings with me. That included my passport. Gianni told me: write down what you need. Then I heard nothing more. When I asked, it was said that Fifa would only communicate with me via lawyers. I tried to contact Infantino directly a couple of times, wrote to him, called him. But never got an answer. That’s disrespectful.

The news of Infantino’s move to Qatar recently caused a stir. Here, too, you spoke up.

If the Fifa President moves to Qatar, I can’t just keep quiet. This is tricky. The President must be at the headquarters, in Zurich. He doesn’t have to organize the World Cup himself. The responsible Fifa commission is already doing this with the host country. The President oversees this work from Zurich. Otherwise, a dangerous dependency can develop.

Final question: you are actually from Upper Valais. Why are you working so hard for Zurich?

I’ve lived here and paid taxes here for 45 years. I feel as comfortable in Zurich as I do in Valais. Of course it’s nice to visit my family in Visp. But they always say: you’re from Zurich, you’re not coming back. That’s not true. I am rooted in Valais. But the center of my life is in Zurich. I played for the Grasshopper Club Veterans and I’m Honorary President of GC Legends. You see, I’m almost a Zurich native. There’s just one thing I’ll never master: Zurich German.