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AP Interview: Blatter free of FIFA ‘burden,’ backs Infantino

FILE - In this June 1, 2011 file photo Swiss  FIFA President Sepp Blatter makes a gesture during a press conference after the 61st FIFA Congress in Zurich, Switzerland. FIFA members convene in Zurich on Friday, Feb. 26, 2016 to elect a successor of Blatter. (AP Photo/Michael Probst, file)
FILE - In this June 1, 2011 file photo Swiss FIFA President Sepp Blatter makes a gesture during a press conference after the 61st FIFA Congress in Zurich, Switzerland. FIFA members convene in Zurich on Friday, Feb. 26, 2016 to elect a successor of Blatter. (AP Photo/Michael Probst, file) FILE - In this June 1, 2011 file photo Swiss FIFA President Sepp Blatter makes a gesture during a press conference after the 61st FIFA Congress in Zurich, Switzerland. FIFA members convene in Zurich on Friday, Feb. 26, 2016 to elect a successor of Blatter. (AP Photo/Michael Probst, file)

ZURICH (AP) – Sepp Blatter says it’s a relief no longer being FIFA president, and he thinks his successor Gianni Infantino “will do the right job.”

The controversial Blatter tells The Associated Press a weight was lifted off him at one minute past six on Friday evening when he watched on television as Infantino won the election to replace him.

He says in an interview on Saturday that “I had this burden on me. And now it is finished.”

Blatter, who turns 80 next month, was enjoying his first day out of FIFA’s employment since 1975.

He says “it was important for FIFA to have a change.”