Ex-FIFA presisdent Sepp Blatter to watch Portugal-Morocco World Cup game

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter will fly to Moscow to watch Portugal face Morocco in the World Cup as a guest of Russian President Vladimir Putin, his spokesman said.

Blatter, who led FIFA for 17 years, is serving a six-year ban for unethical conduct after the organisation was rocked by a global corruption scandal in 2015.

The ban was imposed shortly after the Swiss attorney general's office began criminal proceedings against Blatter on suspicion of criminal mismanagement and misappropriation. No charges have yet been brought and Blatter has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

His appearance at the World Cup is potentially embarrassing for FIFA and its new head, Gianni Infantino, who has promised to clean up FIFA's corruption problems.

Blatter, who will fly on Tuesday, will meet Putin on Wednesday, spokesman Thomas Renggli said, and watch the game at Luzhniki Stadium.

Blatter told Reuters in March he had been invited to attend the World Cup by Putin, with whom he has a long-standing relationship, and he was "honoured" to accept.




ESPN

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