Sepp Blatter, the former FIFA president known for his controversial tenure, has sharply criticized his successor, Gianni Infantino, over Infantino’s seemingly close ties with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Blatter, now 89, saw his name cleared earlier this year from corruption allegations that originated in a 2015 scandal, which eventually forced his resignation and rocked the foundation of football’s global governing body.

The scandal involved a dramatic raid on FIFA’s Zurich headquarters, and an FBI investigation unveiled evidence of collusion between officials and sports marketing executives, uncovering a network of fraud, bribery, racketeering, and money laundering.

While Blatter will not attend the World Cup draw in the U.S. today, he remains vocal about the ongoing issues, offering sharp criticism of those in leadership without explicitly naming Infantino.

In a candid interview with the Telegraph, Blatter remarked, “Regarding my successor, I’m not sure whether it’s truly Trump or Infantino.”

Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter, pictured in 2015 after cash was thrown over him in a prank, has gone on the attack, criticising his successor Gianni Infantino

Infantino has faced a backlash for his seemingly cosy relationship with the US president

‘I see this as personal connections, especially with Trump, and I’m not so sure where the actual trophy of the World Cup, which has always been in Zurich well guarded until the opening of the new World Cup, [is]. I doubt that. Perhaps that his trophy is already in the White House.’

‘Now they give the impression that politicians – on one side Saudi Arabia, and on the other side USA – will take over,’ he added.

Blatter and Infantino have been bitter enemies since the Swiss administrator’s downfall.

And Blatter went on to say Infantino should have more of an appreciation for the work his predecessor did.

‘I am concerned that the successor should have a little bit of respect to the one who has created this big FIFA legacy. Instead of that, he is trying to go against me. I cannot understand it.’

Infantino was UEFA General Secretary and replaced Blatter on the mandate that he would ‘kick out and punish’ those responsible for the scandal that shamed FIFA. 

He is now facing awkward questions about his relationship with the likes of Trump and Saudi Arabia. 

A FIFA peace prize will be given out on Friday, with many expecting it to go to the US president. 

Blatter, 89, thinks there is too much political influence over football’s governing body

Trump was also front and centre for the Club World Cup in the summer and lauded by Infantino for his work in peace talks between Israel and Palestine. 

Infantino was criticised by UEFA, and now Blatter, for arriving late to a conference earlier this year due to what they said was ‘pursuing private interests’ while accompanying Donald Trump on a tour of Gulf states. 

Blatter also weighed in on the decision to suspend Cristiano Ronaldo’s red card ban for elbowing Dara O’Shea during Portugal’s 2-0 qualifying defeat last month.

Under the governing body’s code for violent conduct, he should have been given a three game ban. He served one and has been allowed to have the other two suspended, allowing him to play for Portugal at the World Cup in their first couple of games. 

The decision attracted ridicule and contempt from fans for what many saw as blatant bending of rules. Ronaldo was recently pictured enjoying a visit to the Oval Office to meet Trump himself. 

Infantino and Trump will be centre stage for the World Cup draw on Friday in Washington DC

Blatter said: ‘Disciplinary matters should be regarded as a ‘court’. ‘You should not make decisions by the presidential decision.’

Ronaldo, like many stars of the global game will be watching the World Cup draw with interest on Friday. 

The draw will start at 5pm GMT, 12pm local time, at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. 

The ceremony will be on FIFA’s website or their YouTube channel. Alternatively, you can watch it on the BBC and BBC iPlayer if you’re in the UK,  Fox and Fubo in the United States, and SBS and SBS On Demand in Australia.