Blatter ‘dethroned’ and hit by reality

The media in Sepp Blatter’s homeland believe that the 79-year-old’s reign at the world football governing body FIFA may finally be coming to an end following his suspension, and that FIFA has big lessons to learn from the saga. Blatter’s name was all over Swiss newspapers after he was suspended from FIFA for 90 days on Thursday, as Swiss authorities investigate him amid a widening corruption scandal. The FIFA ethics committee also handed a 90-day suspension to Blatter's possible successor, UEFA chief Michel Platini, and to FIFA's secretary general, Jerome Valcke, who had already been put on leave. Blatter’s lawyer announced early on Friday morning that Blatter would be appealing the decision. FIFA announced on Friday night that its executive meeting would hold an emergency session on October 20 to discuss whether to postpone the presidential election. The election to succeed Blatter is now set for February 26. A crisis meeting of all 54 members of UEFA is scheduled ...