Sepp Blatter, former FIFA president, rushed to hospital in Switzerland

Former president of FIFA Sepp Blatter has been rushed to hospital, according to reports in Switzerland.

Sepp Blatter pictured in Zurich in May 2015

Swiss outlet Blick claims the 84-year-old took ill on Thursday January 7 and is receiving medical treatment, with his condition described as “serious but stable”.

His daughter Corinne confirmed Blatter, who spent forty years working for world football’s governing body, was improving with each day but added: “He needs time and rest.”

Blatter was hospitalised in November 2015 and again in July 2016 as he suffered health issues not long after resigning from his post as FIFA president amid a corruption scandal.

He began working at the organisation in 1975, initially as technical director until 1981 when he was appointed general secretary. That took him up to 1998 when he was elected president of FIFA.

Blatter was re-elected to the top job in 2002 and again in 2007 before landing a fourth term in 2011. He ran for a fifth consecutive term in May 2015 against Prince Ali bin Hussein and won by default after Prince Ali withdrew from the race.

Just days later Blatter announced he would resign from his post amid an ongoing corruption scandal and in September 2015 Swiss authorities confirmed they were probing Blatter over payments made to UEFA President Michel Platini.

Blatter was suspended by FIFA in October before the body’s ethics comittee banned him and Platini from football for eight years, reducd to six in February 2016.

Last month FIFA filed a criminal complaint against Blatter in connection with his role in the FIFA Museum project.

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