Sepp Blatter divorce in 2004. Since 2014, he is in a domestic partnership with Linda Barras. Blatter was raised as a Catholic. Sepp Blatter Joseph "Sepp" Blatter (born 10 March 1936) is a Swiss football administrator who was the eighth President of the FIFA (French: "Fédération Internationale de Football Association") from 1998 to 2015. He is currently serving a six-year ban from participating in FIFA activities. From a background in business, public relations, and sports administration, Blatter became general secretary of FIFA in 1981 and was then elected president at the 51st FIFA Congress on 8 June 1998, succeeding João Havelange, who
61st FIFA Congress three years' residence instead of five. The president of the UAE football association Mohamed al-Rumaithi argued that the proposed change was good for countries trying to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. The motion was also supported by the UAE Football League and Srečko Katanec, the head coach of the United Arab Emirates national football team. The proposal was interpreted as a way for rich countries to attract foreign players with offers of citizenship. The election for the presidency of FIFA was held on the second day of the congress. The incumbent, Sepp Blatter of Switzerland, was elected in 1998.