Soccer Federation's Fallen Chief Still Held Up as Hero at Home

His reputation may be deeply tarnished in the world of soccer, and beyond. A widening swirl of corruption allegations points to deep rot in the organization he has run. (Russia, Qatar may lose World Cups if 'bribery found')

And after 17 years atop one of sports' most powerful groups, his downfall was a shattering crash heard the globe over. But do not tell that to the 7,000 residents of Visp, his hometown. (Corruption in FIFA? Its auditors saw none)

Amid a shadow of disappointment, perhaps, they are still inclined to see his story more as a version of Horatio Alger than Humpty Dumpty. (Sepp Blatter-starrer film 'United Passions' released in US, mocked by media)

To them, Sepp Blatter - the longtime president of FIFA, soccer's world governing body - remains the boy next door who fulfilled Switzerland's version of the American dream, climbing to the top of global sports while never losing sight of his roots.

Here, few have bad words for Blatter. His name is on the facade of a local primary school. (FIFA scandal: Australia ready to host if Qatar is stripped of 2022 World Cup)

He keeps an apartment here. And he has used his influence to lure international soccer stars to a town whose prominence, Blatter aside, amounts to being a train link to the resort of Zermatt, home to the Matterhorn.

"Whenever I've met Sepp here, I've had to remind myself that this aging and easygoing man, who just seems to want to talk to friends in his cafe and enjoy his wine, has in fact also been in one of the most important and stressful jobs in the world of sports," said Bernhard Summermatter, a local architect, who was having a drink of his own on Thursday evening at the Napoleon cafe. (Sepp Blatter, Mbeki 'discussed' $10 million World Cup deal: Reports)

Nevertheless, Blatter's downfall has prompted soul searching in Switzerland. It has added an untimely stain to the national blotter, as the country's banks have faced litigation and international criticism over secrecy rules and allegations of facilitating tax evasion by the global elite. (Ex-FIFA president Jack Warner siphoned off South Africa's 'legacy' millions: BBC)

Blatter has not been charged and has denied any wrongdoing in relation to the bribery investigation of FIFA led by the U.S. Department of Justice, alongside the Swiss judiciary. (Sepp Blatter under investigation in US: Reports)

In announcing his resignation, Blatter, 79, said he would step down after FIFA elected his successor, a vote that is expected to happen late this year or early next year. Those interviewed here said Blatter has a right to be presumed innocent, and that a U.S. push to root out fraud within FIFA should not eclipse his successes, like extending soccer's marketing clout and global footprint.

"We're all surprised and saddened, not only because he's given Visp international fame, but also because we really thought that he had soccer and his life under control," Summermatter said.

When Blatter is not taking a corporate jet to attend soccer events or to dine with heads of state, he regularly makes the two-hour journey here from FIFA's headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland's largest city.

"Visp has of course been home, but also the place to recharge his batteries," said Hans-Peter Berchtold, head of the sports section of Walliser Bote, a regional newspaper. The town has a chemical plant, where Blatter's father worked.

Blatter has an apartment in the heart of Visp, just a short walk from the Napoleon cafe, which is owned by his daughter and son-in-law. "He's a friendly and quiet person, but of course also a figurehead for us, both on a personal and professional level," said Blatter's son-in-law, Dominik Andenmatten.

After Blatter's fourth election as FIFA president in 2011, he chose to celebrate his success in Visp. With a glass of wine in one hand, a beaming Blatter shuffled his feet to the sound of a World Cup song, while telling a Swiss television interviewer, "I certainly can dance - rhythm is part of my life."

Last August, Blatter skipped the final of a women's tournament in Canada to attend the centenary of FC Visp, his local soccer club.

As part of that anniversary celebration, FIFA helped organize a match in Visp's tiny stadium that featured stars like Ronaldo, Brazil's leading World Cup scorer, and George Weah, a former FIFA world Player of the Year.

"That Ronaldo should come to play in a town like Visp was just unbelievable," said Berchtold, the journalist.

© 2015 New York Times News Service