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Russian Twitter Users Plan Blatter's Life After FIFA

byThe Moscow Times1 Like3,979 Views
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  1. Just because Russians have decades of experience with authoritarian leadership, doesn't mean they're any better at predicting these leaders' fates. Only a few days ago, this Twitter user was positively gloating after Sepp Blatter got re-elected as head of FIFA:
  3. "Blatter is staying in his post. Russia - America 1:0." Well, not quite.
  4. In fact, when Blatter finally resigned on Tuesday amongst a massive investigation for corruption within FIFA, Russians were quick to react with humor, sarcasm, and just a bit of schadenfreude.
  5. Because seeing somebody stumble from power is twice as fun when there's video (even if it's an old one.)
  7. So cue the fake compassion and the good advice — like this tweet proclaiming: "We believed in you, Joseph! Do not give up!"
  8. The accompanying picture shows Blatter in deep conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin: "I'm thinking about leaving …" - "I advise you to take Russian citizenship." - "Why?" - "Because Russians don't surrender."
  10. But as we all know, things took a very different turn — leaving some to question what this means for Russia's plans to host the next World Cup: "In short, I'm resigning," a Blatter on the run tells Putin. "But… the 2018 World Cup," Putin replies. "We agreed!"
  12. Turns out, there were just too many reasons for Blatter to leave (here he is, listing them all off.)
  14. Poking fun at some Russian media's inability to recognize satire, this photo clearly shows that Blatter's resignation was brought on by John McCain's air strikes on FIFA's headquarters. (For bonus points, see if you can spot the dig at tabloid LifeNews!)
  16. And while some parody accounts offered a sinister perspective of retribution …
  18. … others came up with ideas for what lies ahead for Sepp B. Maybe he would pull a Viktor Yanukovych, rushing for shelter in Rostov-on-Don, only to hold an impromptu press conference in the same vein: "I'm alive, and I'm (the) legitimate (leader)?"
  19. After all, thanks to some photo editing, here he is holding up a ticket from Zurich to Rostov.
  21. Or maybe he already has a new football-related job lined up, in a country whose leadership appreciates all the … dedication he has to offer? "Spartak have yet to announce a new chairman, Blatter leaves his post," this tweet reads.
  22. "Coincidence? I don't think so."
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