Sepp Blatter to quit amid FIFA corruption scandal

Sepp Blatter

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) president Sepp Blatter is to resign in the wake of the corruption scandal that has engulfed the world governing body.
While speaking at a hastily arranged media conference in Zurich on Tuesday, the 79-year-old, who was elected for a fifth term last week, announced that an Extraordinary Congress will be held to appoint his successor.

He confirmed that process will be completed “as rapidly as possible”, bringing to an end his 17-year spell in charge of the global game.

Last week, nine past and present FIFA officials were among 14 individuals indicted on charges of racketeering, conspiracy and corruption following a request by United States authorities.

He said, “While I have a mandate from the membership of FIFA, I do not feel that I have a mandate from the entire world of football – the fans, the players, the clubs, the people who live, breathe and love football as much as we all do at FIFA.”

FIFA was rocked last week by the arrests on charges of racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering as part of a US prosecution that also indicted 14 people.

A separate criminal investigation by Swiss authorities into how the 2018 and 2022 World Cups were allocated is also under way.

“I am very much linked to FIFA and its interests. Those interests are dear to me and this is why I am taking this decision,” added Blatter. What counts most to me is the institute of FIFA and football around the world.”

Blatter was urged to quit by European football’s governing body UEFA before the election because of the claims of corruption dogging FIFA.

However, he was voted in for a fifth term as he beat Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan.

“I have been reflecting deeply about my presidency and about the 40 years in which my life has been inextricably bound to FIFA and the great sport of football,” Blatter said. “I cherish FIFA more than anything and I want to do only what is best for FIFA and for football.

“I felt compelled to stand for re-election, as I believed that this was the best thing for the organisation. That election is over but FIFA’s challenges are not. FIFA needs a profound overhaul.”