Argentina's beloved former striker and manager Diego Maradona has launched a scathing personal attack on Sepp Blatter ahead of FIFA's presidential elections this week.
Blatter is seeking an unprecedented fifth term at the helm of the governing body, with Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of Jordan his only challenger following the withdrawal of several other candidates.
The 79-year-old Swiss has been widely criticised during his reign and Maradona is aghast that he is the overwhelming favourite to retain his position.
Writing for the Telegraph, the 1986 World Cup winner said: "Under Sepp Blatter, Fifa has become a disgrace and a painful embarrassment to those of us who care about football deeply.
"While I find almost no one openly supporting Blatter, many think he will win a fifth term. Why? The whole notion of a fifth term is an absurdity in 2015.
"No one has argued that he is the best man for the job and deserves to win.
"Recently he pledged to follow through in addressing racism in football and promoting women in the sport. That made me laugh. My question is: 'Sepp, what were you doing in your last four terms?'
"We have a dictator for life. I call Blatter 'the man of ice' because he lacks the inspiration and passion that are at the very heart of football. If this is the face of international football, we are in a very bad place."
