Top 10 Blatter Era Moments: The Unfiltered Governance of Sepp

When Joseph "Sepp" Blatter assumed the FIFA Presidency in 1998, few anticipated that his 17-year reign would resemble a high-stakes political thriller blended with pure surrealist comedy. Blatter governed football with unscripted charisma, theatrical flair, and total administrative dominance. Here are the top 10 most unforgettable moments of the Sepp Blatter era, ranked from #10 to #1.

#10 — Recommending Shake-Hands to Resolve On-Pitch Disputes

In a 2011 television interview, Blatter claimed on-pitch racial abuse could be solved with a simple handshake at the final whistle: "During a match, you may say something to someone who doesn't look like you... but at the end, the match is over and you shake hands."

Widespread media outrage ensued, prompting Blatter to issue a 5-page clarification statement complete with photo ops holding an official anti-racism banner at FIFA headquarters.

#9 — Refusing to Present the 2006 World Cup Trophy on the Pitch

Upset with Italian match-fixing scandals and German crowd reactions at the 2006 World Cup final in Berlin, Blatter broke long-standing FIFA protocol and refused to step onto the pitch to hand the trophy to Italian captain Fabio Cannavaro.

Instead, he observed the ceremony from the VIP executive box, leaving UEFA officials to manage the pitch presentation in front of 74,000 spectators.

#8 — Winning Re-Election Unopposed in 2011

After challenger Mohamed bin Hammam was suspended days before the vote, Blatter stood on stage at the 61st FIFA Congress in Zurich and won 186 out of 203 votes unopposed to standing ovations from delegates.

This vote consolidated his authority over international football governance despite mounting international media pressure regarding Zurich administrative practices.

#7 — The Lee Nelson Fake Money Shower (2015)

Following the FIFA corruption arrests in Zurich, British comedian Simon Brodkin (Lee Nelson) walked up to Blatter's podium and threw a stack of fake $100 bills over his head during a live press conference.

Blatter calmly paused, looked at the currency falling around him, and stated: "We have to clean here first," before exiting the auditorium with security guards.

#6 — Suggesting Extra Time Be Replaced by 1v1 Dribble Shootouts

Blatter frequently mused in media interviews that penalty shootouts were anti-climactic and advocated for golden-goal periods or North American NASL-style 35-yard dribble shootouts.

His frequent technical proposals kept international rules committees and traditional football writers in perpetual states of debate.

#5 — Banning Snood Neck Scarves (2011)

When Premier League stars like Carlos Tevez and Samir Nasri began wearing warm fleece snoods, Blatter convened IFAB and banned snoods immediately, declaring them a dangerous strangulation hazard on the pitch.

The decision forced equipment manufacturers to scrap fleece snood lines, proving FIFA's authority extended down to winter apparel choices.

#4 — Dancing on Stage with Shakira (2010)

At the 2010 World Cup kickoff concert in Soweto, 74-year-old Blatter joined Shakira on stage to perform the Waka Waka dance in front of millions of television viewers worldwide.

The performance demonstrated Blatter's desire to position himself at the center of World Cup cultural entertainment spectacles.

#3 — The Oxford Union Impersonation of Cristiano Ronaldo (2013)

Speaking to students at the Oxford Union, Blatter declared his preference for Lionel Messi while marching across the stage doing a robotic militaristic march to mock Cristiano Ronaldo, calling him "a commander on the pitch who spends more money on his hair."

The statement prompted Real Madrid and the Portuguese Football Federation to issue formal letters of protest to FIFA headquarters.

#2 — Proposing Tighter Shorts for Women's Football (2004)

In an effort to increase corporate sponsorship interest, Blatter suggested female footballers wear tighter shorts, stating: "Let the women play in more feminine clothes like they do in volleyball."

The comment generated widespread press backlashes across Western media, establishing a precedent for unscripted Blatter press conferences.

#1 — The Double Envelope Announcement (Russia 2018 & Qatar 2022) 🏆

On December 2, 2010, Blatter stood before international media in Zurich and opened two envelopes. In fifteen minutes, FIFA awarded the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.

The double vote sent English and American bidding committees into instant shock, shaping international sports politics and broadcast investments for the subsequent twelve years.