Sepp resigns as Fifa president four days after being re-elected
Sepp Blatter resigned as Fifa president on Tuesday, four days after being re-elected to a fifth term.
Blatter, 79, announced the decision at an unexpected news conference in Zurich, six days after the FBI raided a hotel in Zurich and arrested several Fifa officials.
After holding the role for 17 years he was re-elected after his only rival, Jordan’s Prince Ali bin Al Hussein withdrew after losing heavily in the first round of voting.
. “I will call an extraordinary congress to elect my successor as soon as possible,” he said. “I am very linked to Fifa and its interests and that is why I have taken this decision.
“What counts most to me is the institution Fifa and football around the world.”
The announcement came as a major surprise to the footballing world, with Blatter adamant he would not step down despite mounting pressure in recent weeks.
Blatter’s announcement comes after Fifa has admitted it paid $10million destined for the South Africa World Cup to an account controlled by the disgraced former vice-president Jack Warner. The payment followed a letter from the South African FA to Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke.
“I had stood again to be elected as I thought it was the best option. The election was closed but the challenges that Fifa are facing have not come to an end. Fifa needs a profound restructuring.
“Although the members of Fifa gave me a new mandate, this mandate does not seem to be supported by everyone in the world.
“I have thoroughly thought about my presidency and the last 40 years in my life. These years were closely related to Fifa. I only want to do the best for Fifa and football.”
Due to existing Fifa rules on the notice periods required for elections and for candidates to present themselves, the election may not take place until at least December.
Domenico Scala, chairman of the Fifa audit and compliance committee addressed the conference after Blatter;
“While the timing will ultimately be up to the executive committee, the timing of election is likely to be between December and March.”
Meanwhile the Swiss attorney general have insisted that Blatter is not under investigation by Swiss authorities. Leaving us no closer to the rationale behind Blatter’s sudden change of mind.
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The whole CAF block voted for Sepp Blatter while they pretty well knew that this FIFA institution was tainted with corruption. Secondly we have Burundi trying to do away with the big man syndrome which some of us may like or dislike and Blatter is that syndrome in football administration. Now we hear of South Africa trying to clean its face in the wake of the $10 million payment to the diaspora in the Carribean, which diaspora are they talking about if not just trying to save their corrupted and xenophobic face. The Carribean is fairly well off than your… Read more »
Walter you are also part of beneficiaries for FIFA apple pocketing and dont dare to stand,you have corrupted alot of affiliates to vote for you,and also palm oiling some of journalists to write good news favouring you.Walter has spoiled our futobol,No money no position in FAM
Atsogoleri anzeru amatero osati wachaholi aku Africa.
This was obvious. I for one wondered how he thought he could stand up to them. It did not matter whether UEFA was against him or not. If States says no, its no!! period!!!.
One can win the vote from corrupt African and South American delegation. But majority does not count if US says no!!. Was he going to fund FIFA from his own pocket? US controls the sponsors.
I hope our delegation did not benefit in any traceable way from this corrupt money. We are not taking about ACB in Malawi here. We are talking about FBI. Check me!!!
Walter Nyamilandu u wasted Malawi’s vote on this International fraud starm
Walter emulate your evil master and resign!
Naye Zaka 79 unafika potchedwa mfiti iwe. Leave it for others
US power ikhoza kugwetsa Tina fragile Third World Governments should they want to. Fare thee well Blatter
Only if Malawians would borrow a leaf, bwenzi pano zinthu ziri bwino. Koma kuno Mbava zonse zikunjoya kuyambira m’boma kufika ku civil society. Mwachitsanzo, Billy Mayaya ndi mnzake McDonald Sembereka anaba ndalama ku HRCC zoposa 50million kwacha. But they now pose as saints even before paying back the money. They also feel they have the moral highground to attack their fellow thieves. Kodi Anganya inu Billy Mayaya ndi Mcdonald Sembereka mubweza liti 50 million ya ku HRCC.
le hm go, old guard lacks innovations. poor blatter cant xcape americans!!