At one minute past six on Friday evening in Zurich, Sepp Blatter "had a glass of wine and exhaled deeply," according to Graham Dunbar of the AP. FIFA "had finally elected a new president." Seeming at peace, Blatter said, "It is a relief. I had this burden on me." Banned from duty since October by FIFA's ethics committee, Blatter "was barred from attending the election hall across the city from his daughter's apartment." There, "they watched the tense event unfold on television." Blatter said, "Being suspended or not, I was still the elected president. And now it is finished." When the moment came that "his beloved presidency ended," Blatter said that he was with his daughter, Corinne, "sharing a bottle of white from his home region." She was at her father's side also on Saturday morning "for two interviews, first, with Swiss Sunday newspaper then the AP." Blatter said, "It was important for FIFA to have a change." On newly elected FIFA President Gianni Infantino, Blatter said, "He is a young man, he is powerful, he has a lot of energy, and I am sure he will do the right job." Blatter had guessed the outcome "after seeing the first-round result in Friday's four-candidate vote." Infantino led 88-85 over "pre-poll favorite" Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain. Blatter said, "This means that everybody is going for the winner for the second (round). I was not surprised with the result when I have known the day before that there was no longer the packages by the confederations." A key to Infantino's win was "promising to more than double cash grants to the 209 member federations." Asked about likely media reaction had he made similar campaign pledges, a smiling Blatter said, "They would have killed me. I was always criticized by saying, 'He buys votes.'" Speaking "gently, and with no hint of regret," of Infantino's leadership challenges he said, "This is his problem now." Now, Blatter has a different focus, saying, "Love, tenderness, family -- that's it. These are good assets. I have realized that. Now I have another approach to my life" (AP, 2/27).
OPEN WARNING: Blatter, "finally dethroned by the scandal that hit FIFA," through the JOURNAL DU DIMANCHE "addressed a letter to his successor" Infantino. Blatter wrote, "Without direct involvement in the election, these past days I've followed what was going on between the different candidates who ogled my chair at FIFA. ... Know that once in the president's chair, friends become rare. ... I congratulate you, but remember that this position you wanted will not be easy. Miracles will be expected. ... Don't forget one thing: the elected president, is you! ... Good luck, my friend Gianni. I am not worried, you will succeed" (JOURNAL DU DIMANCHE, 2/27).
