Current President of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), Joseph S. Blatter is a Swiss national born in 1936. Having played in the Swiss amateur league in the top division from 1948 to 1971, Mr. Blatter pursued journalistic and public relations activities in the fields of sport and private industry, joining FIFA in 1975, before becoming CEO in 1990. He then stood for President in 1998, and was elected.

Mr. Blatter’s election and presidency to FIFA have come with controversy, including rumors and direct accusations of bribery and backhand dealing. He has also been accused of financial mismanagement by his deputy, Michel Zen-Ruffinen.