FIFA Snub Sepp Blatter’s Birthday

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter suffered the ignominy of being left off the organisation’s list of footballing birthdays on Thursday.

The Swiss, celebrating his 80th birthday, was a notable absentee from FIFA’s daily list despite having spent more than 40 years working for the game’s governing body.

Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic and veteran striker Samuel Eto’o were among those to be recognised for March 10 birthdays.

Blatter stepped down as president last year and was subsequently banned from football for six years following an investigation into an alleged “disloyal payment” made to former UEFA president Michel Platini in 2011.

Police conducted a search of French Football Federation??offices this week as part of a criminal investigation into allegations of mismanagement.

Blatter, who was succeeded as FIFA president by Gianni Infantino last month,??has always denied any wrongdoing and is appealing his sanction at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

And he admitted his disappointment at a lack of recognition for his services at FIFA in Swiss newspaper Blick.

Blatter, who watched the election to find his replacement??at home with his daughter, said: “I had expected that at least something about my work would have been said by the congress leader at the beginning or the end.

“‘Not even a ciao, ciao,’ wrote a journalist aptly. Yes, two candidates mentioned me – one who withdrew [Tokyo Sexwale]??and another who had few votes [Jerome Champagne].

“My only wish – if my business [appeal]??is done – is that I am recognised at the next congress or the one after that or the congress in 20 years. How I go down in history, time has to decide.”