Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has mocked Gianni Infantino’s latest apology to football officials, sarcastically suggesting that the current FIFA chief’s speech would delight the Pope.
Infantino addressed members of the FIFA Council in Zurich on Thursday amid mounting criticism over plans to open the World Cup to private-sector investors. He apologised for mistakes in managing and communicating the project before promising a financial package worth $25 million for every national association.
Infantino acknowledged the controversy surrounding the proposal, saying: “I would like to say that we apologise for the mistakes made in managing this project and in communicating about it, which has had many consequences.”
However, his apology failed to silence criticism, with figures across football questioning the proposal and the way it had been handled. Infantino also reportedly failed to secure unanimous backing from within the FIFA Council.
Blatter, who led FIFA from 1998 to 2015 before Infantino succeeded him, responded with a sarcastic post on X, targeting both the apology and the promised funding.
“Gianni Infantino, the greatest! An astonishing performance in Zurich: Infantino, who appears to be a good Catholic, confesses his sins and then promises 25 million. Confession, forgiveness and absolution, all in a single appearance! The Pope must be delighted.”
Blatter’s criticism went beyond the tone of Infantino’s speech, questioning whether financial promises could restore trust in football’s governing body.
He concluded his post with a pointed remark: “But in football, as in the Church, credibility cannot be bought.”
