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Come Fan with UsSaturday, June 20, 2026

Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini’s replacements at FIFA are just as bad

They’re all the same.

Phil Cole/Getty Images

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The big names in the FIFA scandal have finally gone down. The organization announced on Wednesday that president Sepp Blatter and UEFA president Michel Platini had been provisionally suspended for 90 days. This means they can’t represent FIFA in any capacity during that time.

So our long international nightmare is over, right? Wrong! The guy replacing Blatter appears to be just as bad. African football chief Issa Hayatou has been warned by the IOC over bribery and has allegedly used some shady tactics to remain in his role. Ángel María Villar, Platini’s replacement, is also under FIFA investigation. And Chung Mong-joon, the guy who was threatening to sue Blatter, got suspended, too. There are no good guys here.

Of course, Blatter’s lawyers say they’ll make sure he’s cleared of any wrong-doing.

Goal of the day

Raul Lopez’s free kick for Mexico Under-23.

In the news

Sergio Aguero is wearing No. 10 for Argentina while Lionel Messi is hurt, and Messi’s giving him crap about it. (AS)

Paul Pogba is sitting out France’s games during this break. (Football Italia)

Robin van Persie is apparently struggling to adapt to life in Turkey. (Telegraph)

Chelsea have signed former Milan goalkeeper Marco Amelia. (Sky Sports)

A Dinamo Zagreb player failed a drug test after their win over Arsenal. (Fox Sports)

You should be reading

Dustin Ward on the wild title race in Serie A. (Stats Bomb)

David Conn says FIFA needs outside intervention. (Guardian)

Richard Jolly on Chelsea’s stars all turning in poor individual performances. (ESPN FC)

Wednesday’s games

You can watch highlights of Wednesday night’s MLS games here. (MLS)

What to watch on Thursday (click for listings, all times ET)

Euro qualifying: Eight games (from 12 p.m.) - Portugal vs. Denmark is the game to watch.

CONMEBOL qualifying: Five games (from 4 p.m.) - Yes, South America’s World Cup qualifying is starting already.

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