FIFA president Sepp Blatter resigns, calls new elections
FIFA president Sepp Blatter will resign from football’s governing body amid a widening corruption scandal and has promised to call for fresh elections to choose a successor.
The 79-year-old Blatter was re-elected to a fifth term last weekend, two days after a corruption crisis erupted and seven football officials were arrested in Zurich ahead of the FIFA congress.
The resignation comes on the back of ABC News reports in the United States that Blatter is being investigated by the FBI and US prosecutors as part of the probe that led to the stunning indictments.
“Now that people are going to want to save themselves, there’s probably a race to see who will flip on (Blatter) first,” one source said, explaining how the feds typically try to get people to inform on their superiors.
“We may not be able to collapse the whole organisation but maybe you don’t need to,” one of the sources said.
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Blatter dropped the bombshell at a hastily-arranged news conference.
“This mandate does not seem to be supported by everybody in the world of football,” he said.
“FIFA needs a profound restructuring.
”Elections are expected to take place sometime between December and March.
“I will continue to exercise my function (until the new election).”
Blatter added he reached the decision after he “thoroughly considered my presidency and … (about) the last 40 years in my life.”
“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,” he said.
Two spectators hold signs reading ‘Out Blatter’ during the French Open. Picture: AP Photo
Two spectators hold signs reading ‘Out Blatter’ during the French Open.
Blatter’s move was welcomed by Football Federation Australia.
“FFA has welcomed the decision of FIFA President Sepp Blatter to resign,” the organisation said in a statement on Wednesday.
“FIFA needs fresh leadership and the resignation of the President is a first step.
“The challenge is not just to change the top elected position, but the governance structure at all levels and the culture that underpins it.
“Australia will remain an active voice within the forums of FIFA and AFC in promoting governance reform and a new era of transparency.”
It has been hailed as ‘great for football’ by one of his chief critics, English FA chief Greg Dyke.
Dyke said he thought the 79-year-old Swiss realised the mounting corruption scandal that has engulfed world football’s governing body ‘was getting close to him’.
UEFA president Michel Platini, who had called for Blatter’s resignation, hailed the “difficult, brave and right decision.”
Major sponsor Coca Cola called the move “positive.” Credit card giant Visa, which warned it might withdraw its sponsorship, said Blatter’s resignation was “a significant first step towards rebuilding public trust.
“But more work lies ahead.”
Meanwhile, Russia’s Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko, a member of the FIFA executive and both a key figure in the 2018 World Cup and supporter of Blatter’s, said the resignation came as a “complete shock” but was intended to preserve FIFA’s unity.
Where to now for FIFA after Sepp Blatter resignation
Where to now for FIFA after Sepp Blatter resignation
Jordanian Prince Ali bin al Hussein will stand in new elections after failing in his bid last week to oust Blatter. He had withdrawn from the race after the first round of voting at the Zurich congress. Blatter beat him by 133 votes to 73 in the first round, with rock solid support from Asia and Africa seeing him through.
“As for new elections, Prince Ali is ready,” Sala Sabra, vice-president of the Jordanian football federation which the prince heads up, said.
The prince, Sabra added, was also ready “to take up the presidency immediately if they ask him”.
The prince had already earned Australia’s support prior to last week’s vote.
“The vote secured by Prince Ali was not insignificant and reflects a belief within FIFA and the world football community that governance and other reforms need to be implemented as soon as possible,” FFA chairman Frank Lowy said in a statement after the vote.
FA Chairman Greg Dyke told BBC World he lost faith in Blatter last year. Picture: Paul Gi
FA chairman Greg Dyke had lost faith in Blatter.
Blatter joined FIFA in 1975 as technical director for development projects, was promoted to general secretary in 1981 and spent 17 years as right-hand man to Joao Havelange before being elected to lead world soccer.
Scandal has never been far from his office and the past four years have been his toughest.
The day after the December 2010 vote that awarded the 2018 and 2022 World Cups triggered widespread accusations of bribery.
Qatar has strongly denied any wrongdoing but one senior Qatari official, a FIFA vice president, was banned for life amid accusations that he gave bribes.
The new election will be overseen by Domenico Scala, chairman of FIFA’s audit and compliance committee.
Scala gave a statement immediately after Blatter in which he praised a decision that was “difficult and courageous in the current circumstances.”
“This is the most responsible way to ensure an orderly transition,” Scala said.
