{"id":2631,"date":"2026-01-28T01:27:58","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T01:27:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/?p=2631"},"modified":"2026-02-05T01:26:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T01:26:07","slug":"stay-away-from-the-world-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/stay-away-from-the-world-cup\/","title":{"rendered":"stay away\u201d from the World Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"341\">Former FIFA president <strong data-start=\"22\" data-end=\"38\">Sepp Blatter<\/strong> has reignited global debate around football governance, ethics, and political influence in sport after publicly backing calls for fans, officials, and stakeholders to <strong data-start=\"206\" data-end=\"240\">\u201c<\/strong>, citing deep concerns about the direction of global football and the values it currently represents.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"343\" data-end=\"752\">Blatter\u2019s remarks, coming from a man who once stood at the very centre of world football power, have carried particular weight. Though controversial and often polarising, the former FIFA boss remains one of the most influential figures in the history of the sport. His decision to support a boycott\u2014symbolic or practical\u2014marks a dramatic shift from his long-held belief in football as a unifying global force.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseprofile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/stay-away-from-the-world-cup\/#A_Stunning_Intervention_from_a_Former_Power_Broker\" >A Stunning Intervention from a Former Power Broker<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/stay-away-from-the-world-cup\/#What_Does_%E2%80%9CStay_Away%E2%80%9D_Mean\" >What Does \u201cStay Away\u201d Mean?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/stay-away-from-the-world-cup\/#Ethics_Governance_and_the_Soul_of_Football\" >Ethics, Governance, and the Soul of Football<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/stay-away-from-the-world-cup\/#Human_Rights_and_the_World_Cup_Debate\" >Human Rights and the World Cup Debate<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/stay-away-from-the-world-cup\/#Critics_Question_Blatters_Credibility\" >Critics Question Blatter\u2019s Credibility<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/stay-away-from-the-world-cup\/#Supporters_Say_His_Voice_Still_Matters\" >Supporters Say His Voice Still Matters<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/stay-away-from-the-world-cup\/#The_Power_of_Absence_in_Sport\" >The Power of Absence in Sport<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/stay-away-from-the-world-cup\/#FIFAs_Position_and_the_Future_of_the_World_Cup\" >FIFA\u2019s Position and the Future of the World Cup<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/stay-away-from-the-world-cup\/#Fans_Caught_in_the_Middle\" >Fans Caught in the Middle<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/stay-away-from-the-world-cup\/#A_Legacy_Still_Being_Written\" >A Legacy Still Being Written<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/stay-away-from-the-world-cup\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3 data-start=\"754\" data-end=\"808\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Stunning_Intervention_from_a_Former_Power_Broker\"><\/span>A Stunning Intervention from a Former Power Broker<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"810\" data-end=\"1171\">Sepp Blatter led FIFA for 17 years, from 1998 until 2015, overseeing unprecedented commercial growth, World Cup expansion, and football\u2019s transformation into a multi-billion-dollar global industry. His tenure, however, ended in scandal, with corruption allegations that shook FIFA to its core and permanently altered public trust in football\u2019s governing bodies.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1173\" data-end=\"1493\">Now, years after his departure from office, Blatter has positioned himself as a critic of the system he once helped build. His endorsement of calls to \u201cstay away\u201d from the World Cup reflects deep frustration with what he describes as football\u2019s moral decline and increasing capture by political and commercial interests.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1495\" data-end=\"1805\">According to Blatter, the World Cup\u2014once a celebration of sporting excellence, cultural exchange, and unity\u2014has become a tool shaped by power politics, financial influence, and governance failures. He argued that walking away, even symbolically, may be one of the few remaining ways to force meaningful reform.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1807\" data-end=\"1838\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Does_%E2%80%9CStay_Away%E2%80%9D_Mean\"><\/span>What Does \u201cStay Away\u201d Mean?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1840\" data-end=\"2116\">Blatter was careful to clarify that his support for staying away from the World Cup does not necessarily call for players to abandon their dreams or fans to permanently disengage from football. Rather, he framed the idea as a <strong data-start=\"2066\" data-end=\"2093\">protest against systems<\/strong>, not the sport itself.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2118\" data-end=\"2427\">In his view, selective boycotts\u2014by sponsors, officials, dignitaries, or even national associations\u2014can serve as powerful statements when institutions fail to uphold ethical standards. He compared such actions to historical sports boycotts that were used to challenge injustice, corruption, or political abuse.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2429\" data-end=\"2556\">\u201cFootball must send a message,\u201d Blatter suggested. \u201cIf the system refuses to listen, then absence speaks louder than presence.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"2558\" data-end=\"2606\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ethics_Governance_and_the_Soul_of_Football\"><\/span>Ethics, Governance, and the Soul of Football<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2608\" data-end=\"2865\">At the heart of Blatter\u2019s argument is a belief that football has lost its moral compass. He criticised what he sees as weak governance structures within FIFA and other football bodies, arguing that reforms introduced after his exit have not gone far enough.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2867\" data-end=\"3238\">Blatter contended that modern football is increasingly shaped by powerful states, corporate interests, and political agendas that conflict with the sport\u2019s core values. In this environment, he said, decisions about World Cup hosting, tournament organisation, and commercial partnerships often prioritise money and influence over transparency, fairness, and human dignity.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3240\" data-end=\"3487\">He also expressed concern about the widening gap between football\u2019s elite and grassroots levels, noting that while World Cups generate enormous revenue, many local football communities around the world continue to struggle for funding and support.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"3489\" data-end=\"3530\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Human_Rights_and_the_World_Cup_Debate\"><\/span>Human Rights and the World Cup Debate<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"3532\" data-end=\"3862\">Blatter\u2019s comments align with broader global criticism that has surrounded recent and upcoming World Cups. Human rights organisations, labour activists, and civil society groups have repeatedly raised concerns about working conditions, freedom of expression, treatment of minorities, and the political use of mega-sporting events.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3864\" data-end=\"4125\">While Blatter stopped short of naming specific countries in his most recent remarks, his support for staying away from the World Cup has been widely interpreted as an endorsement of protests against hosts accused of rights violations or governance shortcomings.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4127\" data-end=\"4374\">He argued that football cannot claim neutrality when its biggest events are intertwined with political power and human consequences. \u201cYou cannot separate football from society,\u201d Blatter said. \u201cIf society is harmed, football shares responsibility.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"4376\" data-end=\"4418\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Critics_Question_Blatters_Credibility\"><\/span>Critics Question Blatter\u2019s Credibility<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"4420\" data-end=\"4766\">Unsurprisingly, Blatter\u2019s intervention has drawn sharp criticism from some quarters. Detractors argue that his moral stance rings hollow, given FIFA\u2019s corruption scandals during his presidency. They accuse him of attempting to rewrite history or reposition himself as a reformer after presiding over an era widely associated with ethical failure.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"4768\" data-end=\"5009\">Some critics have also questioned whether Blatter\u2019s call to stay away from the World Cup is realistic or effective, noting that fans and players often bear the emotional cost of boycotts, while powerful institutions remain largely untouched.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5011\" data-end=\"5197\">Others argue that football\u2019s global popularity makes large-scale boycotts unlikely, especially among supporters for whom the World Cup represents a rare moment of national pride and joy.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"5199\" data-end=\"5241\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Supporters_Say_His_Voice_Still_Matters\"><\/span>Supporters Say His Voice Still Matters<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"5243\" data-end=\"5452\">Despite these criticisms, Blatter has also found unexpected support. Some football commentators and activists argue that his insider knowledge gives his warnings credibility, even if his past is controversial.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5454\" data-end=\"5700\">They suggest that Blatter\u2019s remarks should be viewed less as a moral lecture and more as a <strong data-start=\"5545\" data-end=\"5582\">confession from within the system<\/strong>\u2014an admission that football\u2019s governance problems are deeper and more entrenched than many are willing to acknowledge.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5702\" data-end=\"5862\">To these supporters, Blatter\u2019s call to stay away from the World Cup reflects not hypocrisy, but regret\u2014and a desire to spark overdue conversations about reform.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"5864\" data-end=\"5897\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Power_of_Absence_in_Sport\"><\/span>The Power of Absence in Sport<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"5899\" data-end=\"6166\">Historically, boycotts and withdrawals have played a significant role in shaping sports politics. From Olympic boycotts during the Cold War to sanctions against apartheid-era South Africa, absence has often been used as a tool to challenge injustice and force change.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6168\" data-end=\"6499\">Blatter drew on this history to argue that football should not be exempt from ethical accountability. He suggested that even partial disengagement\u2014such as political leaders refusing to attend matches, sponsors reconsidering partnerships, or associations publicly protesting\u2014can shift public discourse and pressure governing bodies.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6501\" data-end=\"6650\">However, he acknowledged that such actions require coordination, courage, and a willingness to sacrifice short-term benefits for long-term integrity.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"6652\" data-end=\"6703\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FIFAs_Position_and_the_Future_of_the_World_Cup\"><\/span>FIFA\u2019s Position and the Future of the World Cup<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"6705\" data-end=\"6970\">FIFA has consistently rejected calls for boycotts, maintaining that football should remain politically neutral and inclusive. The organisation argues that the World Cup brings people together, promotes dialogue, and can even drive positive change in host countries.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"6972\" data-end=\"7230\">FIFA officials often emphasise reforms introduced in recent years, including updated bidding processes, human rights frameworks, and compliance mechanisms. They contend that engagement, rather than withdrawal, is the most effective way to influence progress.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7232\" data-end=\"7420\">Blatter, however, remains sceptical. He argues that without stronger enforcement and genuine accountability, such reforms risk becoming symbolic gestures rather than transformative change.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"7422\" data-end=\"7451\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fans_Caught_in_the_Middle\"><\/span>Fans Caught in the Middle<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"7453\" data-end=\"7677\">One of the most complex aspects of the debate is the role of fans. For millions of supporters around the world, the World Cup is not a political statement but a deeply emotional event tied to identity, memory, and belonging.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7679\" data-end=\"7854\">Blatter acknowledged this tension, admitting that asking fans to stay away is \u201cpainful and difficult.\u201d Yet he insisted that fans also have power\u2014and that their choices matter.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7856\" data-end=\"7981\">\u201cFootball belongs to the people,\u201d he said. \u201cIf the people withdraw their support, even temporarily, the system will feel it.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"7983\" data-end=\"8015\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Legacy_Still_Being_Written\"><\/span>A Legacy Still Being Written<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"8017\" data-end=\"8275\">Sepp Blatter\u2019s backing of calls to stay away from the World Cup adds a surprising chapter to his long and complex legacy. Once the ultimate football insider, he now speaks as a critic from the margins\u2014both shaped by and distanced from the institution he led.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"8277\" data-end=\"8487\">Whether his words lead to action remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that they have reopened fundamental questions about football\u2019s purpose, governance, and moral responsibility in a globalised world.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"8489\" data-end=\"8503\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"8505\" data-end=\"8809\">Blatter\u2019s endorsement of a World Cup boycott is less about a single tournament and more about the future of football itself. It challenges fans, players, sponsors, and officials to reflect on what they are willing to accept\u2014and what lines should not be crossed in the pursuit of entertainment and profit.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"8811\" data-end=\"9187\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">In supporting calls to \u201cstay away,\u201d the former FIFA president has reignited debate about whether football can truly claim to unite the world while ignoring the systems and values that shape it. Love him or loathe him, Sepp Blatter has once again forced the football world to confront uncomfortable truths\u2014and to decide whether the beautiful game can still live up to its name.<\/p>\n<div class=\"gsp_post_data\" \r\n\t            data-post_type=\"post\" \r\n\t            data-cat=\"sports\" \r\n\t            data-modified=\"120\"\r\n\t            data-created=\"1769563678\"\r\n\t            data-title=\"stay away\u201d from the World Cup\" \r\n\t            data-home=\"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\"><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter has reignited global debate around football governance, ethics, and political influence in sport after publicly backing calls for fans, officials, and stakeholders to \u201c, citing deep concerns about the direction of global football and the values it currently represents. Blatter\u2019s remarks, coming from a man who once stood at the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2632,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[149],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2631","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2631","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2631"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2631\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2952,"href":"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2631\/revisions\/2952"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2632"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2631"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2631"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rendergh.net\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2631"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}