Ex-FIFA President Blatter in Moscow for 'Private' Visit - Kremlin

10:50 GMT, 20 June 2018

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter is in Moscow on a private visit, meaning that all the meetings he has during his stay in the Russian capital will be private as well, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Sputnik

"As far as I know, Blatter is here for a private visit, that's why all meetings that might take place, they will be a part of his private visit and cannot be considered official," Peskov said when asked whether Russian President Vladimir Putin was going to meet with Blatter.

Peskov added that he was not in a position to say how the former FIFA president had obtained tickets for the World Cup.

Blatter, who is banned from taking part in any FIFA activities until 2022, arrived in Moscow on Tuesday saying that he came "to enjoy the World Cup," which kicked off on June 14. Earlier, media reported that Blatter would attend Wednesday's match between Portugal and Morocco in Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium.

All Eyes on Ronaldo as Portugal Set to Clash With Morocco at FIFA World Cup

20 June 2018, 09:49 GMT

Sepp Blatter served as FIFA president from 1998 till 2015, but stepped down in June 2015 amid a massive corruption scandal and was subsequently banned by the FIFA Ethics Committee from all activities of world football's governing body for eight years. The ban was later reduced to six years.

Russia is currently hosting its first-ever FIFA World Cup, with matches set to be played in 12 stadiums across 11 cities.