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Blatter, who led FIFA for 17 years, was barred
for ethics violations in 2015 amid the biggest corruption
scandal to shake world soccer’s governing body.
The ban was imposed shortly after the Swiss attorney general's
office began criminal proceedings against him on suspicion of
criminal mismanagement and misappropriation. No charges have yet
been brought and Blatter has denied wrongdoing.
"It is now two and a half years, this file has not moved,"
Blatter told reporters, adding he had no indication how long the
investigation would last. "It is like having the Sword of
Damocles over my head because you never know what will happen."
Blatter, who last month told Reuters he was considering legal
action to clear his name, said he was now thinking of asking
FIFA's ethics committee to re-open his case.
"I am looking to have a solution also from the FIFA ethics
committee to lift the suspension, which is a nonsense," he said.
"I am also trying to see how we can change it. I hope to have a
solution in the next three months before we open the World Cup
in Russia."
The Swiss attorney-general's office could not immediately be
reached for comment but in the past has said that such
investigations can take several years.
Blatter also confirmed that he had been invited by President
Vladimir Putin to attend the World Cup in Russia in June and
July. "I'm honored and I have accepted," he said.
(Writing by Brian Homewood, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
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