Sepp Blatter gets VIP treatment by Russian authorities.

For the good Sepp from Wallis the red carpet is rolled out in Moscow. His successor and doppelganger Infantino doesn’t like this.

NIZHNI NOVGOROD taz | Blatter is back. Actually, he is still the President of FIFA, which he indicated on his arrival in Moscow. According to the statutes, he must have been voted out and that seems never to happen. The good Sepp from Wallis has lost none of his qualities even at the age of 82 and he is again the Uncle-in-Good-Mood during this football World Cup. He isn’t confused by the adversities of the reality; he always makes himself comfortable in his own reality – that has always been his great advantage.

His successor Gianni Infantino must be his greatest admirer. Because he is similar to him in his management style like a Siamese twin. He is not quite up to this Blatter’s conférencier-like carelessness, but he can still acquire it. Critics sneer at Infantino who also comes from Wallis as masterfully as Blatter.

When Infantino recently raved about the transparency and integrity of his organization at the FIFA congress and later a British journalist addressed him touching upon the still unsolved cases of the ethics committee, he replied amused: "You must always look for a hair in the soup." And he smiled pointing at his naked skull.

Just for the biggest holiday time, doppelganger Blatter is turning up, which Infantino cannot like. Exactly now when he wants to stay for a second term in presidency. Right now when he keeps telling everywhere and everyone that FIFA has become a completely different association that has nothing in common with the corrupt system it was before.

The 48-year-old bites his tongue so far, but he must be boiling inside. All the attention he has received by Russian authorities, such benevolence and much praise, he now has to share these with his predecessor. Especially bad is the following: the equal attitude of Russian government to Infantino and Blatter makes it quite clear that not much has changed in FIFA management. The Kremlin does appreciate the succession in the World Football Federation.

Got taken in the closest surrounding of Putin

Russian vice-president Vitaly Leontievich Mutko, who may be the secret sports minister despite his dismissal after the doping scandal, has already welcomed Blatter. And while things are going badly for Infantino, there will be also a meeting between Putin and Blatter. The two have always understood each other well.

Sepp Blatter has been the decisive person in the World Federation who has made the way for Russia for this World Cup. After his appointment, Infantino kept contact with Blatter and thus also got accepted in the surrounding of Putin. He regards the Russian President with the utmost dedication. The slapstick situation at the FIFA Congress two weeks ago is still well remembered when the FIFA Chief rushed by Putin, took the wrong staircase down and the head of the state was already on the stage.

Now this Blatter again wants to have influence. FIFA may have suspended Blatter till 2021 from all football issues. In his opinion, he is still the head of the most powerful world football association. Gianni Infantino will remember that. If he is once kicked out not voted out, you already know that the imitator artist will say: he is still the actual president.

Source: taz