Photo: Mike Hewitt/FIFA
In a massive U-turn, FIFA president Sepp Blatter has resigned in light of the corruption scandal which has shocked the footballing fraternity. The aging Swiss announced his decision just 4 days after winning the election for the 5th time.
Blatter’s secretary-general Jerome Valcke was alleged to be the high-profile official linked to the bribery scandal by the US Department of Justice’s Investigations related to $10 million payment to accused former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner. These Valcke allegations seemingly triggered a rather unexpected resigning but chances are there’s more than what meets the eye.
Photo: Reuters/Ruben Sprich
Blatter has announced that he will step down as president but will remain in charge until the new head is elected. He also confirmed that an extraordinary congress will be held to appoint his successor. The elections are likely to be held between December and March. FIFA has been plagued by corruption allegations in recent weeks and Blatter’s reappointment for another 4 years angered many officials, especially the member nations of UEFA.
“I have thoroughly thought about my presidency and the 40 years FIFA has played in my life. I love FIFA more than anything else and I only want to do the best. I decided to stand again for election for the good of football,” Blatter said at the press conference in Zurich.
“FIFA needs a profound overhaul.”
“I will organise an extraordinary congress for a replacement for me as president. I will not stand. I am now free from the constraints of an election. I will be in a position to focus on profound reforms. For many years we have called for reforms. But these are not sufficient.”
FIFA’s Audit and Compliance Committee chairman Domenico Scala later claimed that Blatter’s resignation could ‘fundamentally change’ the way the organisation is run.
Photo: Reuters/Ruben Sprich
“I have a great amount of respect for the president and the role that he has played in championing reform within FIFA,” Scala commented after Blatter announced his decision to step down after 17 years at the top spot.
“As he has recognised, we have worked hard to put in place governance reforms. But this has not been enough.”
“By making this announcement, he has created an opportunity for us to go further than FIFA has before – to fundamentally change the way in which FIFA is structured.”
Prince Ali of Jordan, who withdrew from the elections before the second round, hinted that he will stand for the elections. David Ginola along with UEFA president Michael Platini will challenge the Jordanian, who is the favorite to win.
Tags: FIFA FIFA President Sepp Blatter
