LONDON — Still exercising the power that comes with being FIFA president, Sepp Blatter was received like royalty at the grand Konstantin Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia.
On Saturday, Mr. Blatter pledged FIFA’s ongoing support for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. “We say yes to Russia,” he announced. “Our support is especially important during the current geopolitical situation.”
The Russian president, Vladimir V. Putin, took his hand and told the embattled head of the disintegrating ruling body of world soccer: “We see what’s happening around football, but I know how you feel about it.