VISP, Switzerland — His reputation may be deeply tarnished in the world of soccer, and beyond. A widening swirl of corruption allegations points to deep rot in the organization he has run. And after 17 years atop one of sports’ most powerful groups, his downfall was a shattering crash heard the globe over.
But do not tell that to the 7,000 residents of Visp, his hometown. Amid a shadow of disappointment, perhaps, they are still inclined to see his story more as a version of Horatio Alger than Humpty Dumpty.
To them, Sepp Blatter — the longtime president of FIFA, soccer’s world governing body — remains the boy next door who fulfilled Switzerland’s version of the American dream, climbing to the top of global sports while never losing sight of his roots.