Sepp Blatter Calls for Lisa Klaveness to Replace FIFA President Gianni Infantino

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter criticized current FIFA president Gianni Infantino and suggested that Lisa Klaveness should replace him. Infantino recently faced a failed attempt to sell FIFA shares to an investment fund, a plan that collapsed due to opposition from UEFA, CONCACAF, and the AFC, resulting in a loss of over three billion euros. Additionally, former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger distanced himself from Infantino. Blatter, 90, argued that Infantino urgently needs to be replaced by a woman, praising Klaveness for her clear stance and refusal to take the easy path. "Lisa Klaveness deserves the highest honor," Blatter said, emphasizing it is time for a woman to lead FIFA.

Lisa Klaveness has led the Norwegian Football Federation since 2022 and is known as a strong critic of Israeli football policies. She supported Palestinian complaints against Israel at FIFA, advocated for the suspension of the Israeli national team, and called for sanctions against Israel last year. Blatter himself led FIFA from 1998 until 2015, when he was ousted amid a scandal involving payments to Michel Platini. Infantino succeeded him but has become even less popular than his predecessor, who was widely regarded as corrupt.