Although still under a six-year ban from football activities, former FIFA president Sepp Blatter made a surprising appearance in Russia at the personal invitation of Vladimir Putin to watch several World Cup matches. As Jeetbuzz App Download reports, Blatter has long been known as a traditionalist—or less kindly, an old-school conservative. His resistance to technological reforms in football has often stood in contrast to the changing tides of the sport.

Blatter once claimed that misjudged calls, fan arguments, and post-match debates were all integral parts of the game. But tell that to the players who lost titles, dreams, and glory because of officiating errors. Even Blatter couldn’t ignore the pressure forever. Starting in 2012, European clubs began using the five-referee system, with two additional goal-line officials. In the following years, Blatter slowly shifted his stance, advocating for video replay and even challenge systems, admitting, “I was once against technological progress, but clinging to the past leads nowhere.” However, critics saw this change of heart as an attempt to distract from corruption scandals that rocked his leadership.

One of the clearest turning points was in 2012, when UEFA president Michel Platini—Blatter’s main rival—firmly opposed using goal-line technology in the European Championship. In response, Blatter dramatically claimed he’d rather die than see a repeat of what happened during the 2010 World Cup. He was referring to the infamous moment when England’s Frank Lampard scored a goal against Germany that wasn’t counted—despite the ball clearly crossing the line. Jeetbuzz App Download notes that while Germany won 4-1, many believe the outcome would’ve been different if the goal had stood. That match sparked worldwide debate on the need for goal-line technology.

Though Blatter once said England wouldn’t have won anyway, his argument fell flat as other sports like tennis and basketball embraced high-tech replay systems. Yet FIFA hesitated, citing high costs and the fear of disrupting match flow. Fans, players, and coaches increasingly demanded change, asking why the tools existed if they wouldn’t be used to ensure fairness. This tug-of-war between modern innovation and football tradition created mounting pressure.

Blatter, now 82, often complains that he’s been left behind, even insisting, “I am still the elected FIFA president.” But the reality is that football has moved on without him. Watching VAR play such a prominent role in World Cup matches must have felt like the ultimate irony. In his final years of power, as technologies capable of transforming officiating became more accessible, Blatter still clung to the old ways. Though he softened his position before stepping down, it was Gianni Infantino, his successor, who finally embraced reform and made VAR a reality.

Jeetbuzz App Download highlights how the use of VAR in recent tournaments has stirred both praise and controversy. Some argue it interrupts the game’s rhythm, while others believe it’s essential to correcting clear errors. Iconic moments like Lampard’s ghost goal will forever live in memory, but fans now hope such injustices can be prevented. The debate over whether VAR helps or hinders the game continues, but one thing is clear: adapting with the times is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. And as Jeetbuzz App Download concludes, preserving the essence of football doesn’t mean resisting progress; it means knowing when to embrace it.