FIFA removes Blatter-era plaque

ZURICH — FIFA has taken down a monolithic reminder of former president Sepp Blatter from its headquarters.

Since the building officially opened at a cost of $200 million in 2007, a 1.1-metre high silver metal plaque listing members of that year’s Blatter-chaired FIFA executive committee was fixed to a stone column in the reception area.

Visitors could read an inauguration message in French above names headed by Blatter, who is serving a six-year ban for unethical conduct.

Most men on the list have since been sanctioned by FIFA’s ethics committee, indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice or are under investigation by Swiss federal prosecutors.

Four medal-sized circles of grey stone have replaced the plaque’s settings in the wall.

FIFA did not immediately provide a reason for the plaque’s absence.

ROB HARRIS, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS This plaque in the reception of FIFA headquarters in Zurich bearing the names of former president Sepp Blatter and his executive committee colleagues in 2005 has been removed.