Blatter says he will resign as FIFA president

[webfact]

Blatter says he will resign as FIFA president
DANIELLA MATAR, Associated Press
GRAHAM DUNBAR, Associated Press

ZURICH (AP) — The end for Sepp Blatter came suddenly, just days after he had seemingly solidified his hold on FIFA.

The 79-year-old leader of the world's most popular sport defied global animosity last week to win four more years in office. But his re-election only increased the pressure from colleagues, sponsors, athletes and fans for Blatter to step down as FIFA's president.

At a hastily arranged news conference Tuesday, Blatter announced he would leave office within months and called for a fresh election to appoint a successor.

"I cherish FIFA more than anything and I want to do only what is best for FIFA and for football," said Blatter, who could still be a target of U.S. investigators delving into decades of corruption and bribery accusations against FIFA officials.

After generations under Blatter and his mentor, Joao Havelange, the announcement left FIFA without a leader and without a clear course forward. It sets off a global power struggle for control of the organization as a criminal investigation intensifies.

A strained and serious Blatter read a six-minute statement in French before exiting without taking questions.

Blatter had been defiant and feisty in the same room on Saturday, fending off questions about FIFA's battered reputation and the chance he could be arrested.

His mood had changed in the 24 hours before his announcement, Blatter aide Walter Gagg told The Associated Press.

A federal indictment last week detailed apparent bribes from a FIFA account totaling $10 million to senior officials for voting South Africa as the 2010 World Cup host. Late Monday, reports laid a clearer trail of complicity to the door of FIFA headquarters, if not Blatter himself.

"We know that the in the last 48 hours he was thinking of the future and perhaps what happened in the last hours, this gave him the conviction," Gagg, a long-time confidante of Blatter, told the AP in a telephone interview.

"We had lunch with him yesterday (Monday). He was relaxed he was fine," Gagg said. "I had a very good meeting with him early in the morning (today). Then came the different information from the U.S. with this and that."

The South African angle threatens to tarnish memories of a bid campaign that brought Nelson Mandela to Zurich for the winning vote in 2004. At risk also is the legacy of a World Cup that was an organizational triumph for FIFA and South Africa, and bolstered Blatter's reputation as a friend of Africa whose loyalty stood firm in Friday's election.

Even before the election, Blatter's ability to travel to the U.S., or other countries where a Swiss national risked arrest and extradition, had become a distracting story.

Blatter's vigor in acclaiming his election victory — a 133-73 win over Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan — was gone by Tuesday.

"This mandate does not seem to be supported by everybody in the world of football," Blatter said. "I will continue to exercise my function (until the new election)."

Elections are expected to take place sometime between December and March.

Prince Ali declined to say if he'd run again.

"I am at the disposal of all the national associations who want a change, including all of those who were afraid to make a change," Prince Ali said in an interview with CNN.

Michel Platini, the president of European body UEFA, had called for Blatter's resignation last week before the vote. On Tuesday, he praised Blatter's decision to go.

"It was a difficult decision, a brave decision, and the right decision," said Platini, a former protege who planned a strategy meeting of UEFA members to discuss anti-Blatter tactics in Berlin later this week.

Platini opted out of taking on Blatter head-to-head in last week's election, preferring to support the prince. But the former star midfielder for France and Juventus is a likely candidate for the next vote.

The next few months will likely also see further arrests in the corruption case.

The U.S. Department of Justice indicted 14 men last Wednesday, including the seven arrested in dawn raids on a luxury hotel in Switzerland.

The Justice Department said Tuesday it would have no comment on Blatter's announcement. The Swiss attorney general said Blatter was not under investigation in Switzerland, but authorities said last week they have opened a criminal probe into the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding votes.

Blatter's pending departure will see 2018 World Cup host Russia lose a strong ally, and could cause unease in Qatar, the host of the 2022 tournament.

The consequences of those World Cup hosting votes in December 2010 defined Blatter's last full term in office, and a new president may want to re-examine the decisions.

In pledging a burst of modernizing reforms during his final few months, Blatter acknowledged that cultural change at FIFA has not gone far enough on his watch.

"FIFA needs a profound restructuring," said Blatter, who will try to impose term limits to ensure no future FIFA president matches his time in office.

The often-discredited FIFA executive committee that chose Russia and Qatar also faces deep change: Term limits, fewer members and tougher integrity checks imposed by FIFA, Blatter suggested.

Blatter again directed blame for FIFA's reputation at his executive colleagues who have repeatedly been implicated in bribery and corruption.

Blatter is also a member of the International Olympic Committee.

"We highly respect this decision of President Blatter to step down and to initiate the necessary reforms, and to make way for a new leadership of FIFA to drive these changes," IOC President Thomas Bach said in a statement.

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 Havelange of Brazil before being elected to lead world soccer.

The new election will be overseen by Domenico Scala, chairman of FIFA's audit and compliance committee, who praised Blatter's "difficult and courageous" decision.

"This is the most responsible way to ensure an orderly transition," Scala said. "There is significant work to be done to regain the trust of the public."
___

Dunbar reported from Geneva.


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-06-03

[JakeSully]

America's greatest gift to the world since the Marshall Plan.

Now the only question that remains, will he be indicted for the corruption himself?

[trogers]

Vote buying and selling. Some says there is nothing wrong with such a practice.

But this equation loop always stands:

Corruption = Vote buying = Corruption =....

[NongKhaiKid]

America's greatest gift to the world since the Marshall Plan.

Now the only question that remains, will he be indicted for the corruption himself?

Yes this is the main point, it cannot be allowed to remain at his resignation being " well that's that. "

For as many years as I can remember Fifa watchers and critics have repeatedly said that nothing happens without Blatter''s approval so it's beyond belief that he knew nothing at the very least.

I'm sure this isn't going away anytime soon and I sincerely hope no mercy is shown.

[sanuk711]

Sepp Blatter has announced he will resign to spend more time with his family .........and his shredder...................

[F4UCorsair]

He'll go 'within months'. Between December and March is 7 to 10 months, almost a year.

Oops, there's more money to be sucked out of FIFA yet, so better not rush off too quickly.

[JAG]

Someone has lifted up a particular stone!

[apetley]

America's greatest gift to the world since the Marshall Plan.

Now the only question that remains, will he be indicted for the corruption himself?

Some would maybe guess that he has been offered a choice, resign and give evidence for the prosecution in return for a lesser sentence or even immunity or face the possibility of a very long time behind bars.

[Emster23]

Can we get some "well dones" from the group that takes every opp to bash USA? And maybe those that whinge about US being "policeman of the world"? Begs question why didn't some other nations go after FIFA years ago? Some European ones....

[Fritzz]

Well, that's the end of "Rue Joseph Blatter" in the centre of European corruption then. Or is it?

Anonymous hint for the FBI: while you are there have a good look around some other intl. organisations there - non profit and profit - that might have the same nasty virus. They say quite a few of their bosses to be temporarily out on safari in Eastern Transvaal. Until the plaque is over.

Well done to the boys in Pennsylvania Avenue and Mdm Federal Prosecutor.

Bon voyage

[Colabamumbai]

About time. Boycott FIFA games and their products.

[Thaddeus]

The head of the snake is leaving.

What happens to the rest of the snake?

Dismantle FIFA, it's all bad.

[Tatsujin]

He'll go 'within months'. Between December and March is 7 to 10 months, almost a year.

Oops, there's more money to be sucked out of FIFA yet, so better not rush off too quickly.

Yes, 7-10 months to ensure potential "witnesses" don't talk, incriminating documents are lost, misfiled, altered or shredded and time to move all the money into less easily traceable offshore accounts.

[Scott]

Off-topic post removed.

[steven100]

rotten to the core ..... good riddance to bad rubbish.

[californiabeachboy]

A great day for the world of soccer,,, sorry football.

He said he will stay on until someone is selected succeed him, but he will be gone much sooner than that. It doesn't take 6 months to schred all the documents.

It is now a footrace by those indicted executives of FIFA to turn, sing like a canary, and implicate Blatter. My prediction it will be Jack Warner.

[ResandePohm]

He'll go 'within months'. Between December and March is 7 to 10 months, almost a year.

Oops, there's more money to be sucked out of FIFA yet, so better not rush off too quickly.

Time for him to destroy any evidence against him. He should go immediately

[Basil B]

Gazprom seems to be the only sponsor of the world cup not welcome Blatter's decision to go...

Wonder why???

[GoodThaiGirl]

Can we get some "well dones" from the group that takes every opp to bash USA? And maybe those that whinge about US being "policeman of the world"? Begs question why didn't some other nations go after FIFA years ago? Some European ones....

do you want a well done cuddle american bashing is just stating facts that you dont like get over yourself tonto people thai bash my country on here to but i dont start crying like you,but as to going after fifa years ago you are 100% correct spineless to the core,i would say complicit in corruption too,

[schlog]

He'll go 'within months'. Between December and March is 7 to 10 months, almost a year.

Oops, there's more money to be sucked out of FIFA yet, so better not rush off too quickly.

Wait till you see how the lone star tick will suck and control the future FIFA.

Land of the free driven by hypocrites.

[NongKhaiKid]

He'll go 'within months'. Between December and March is 7 to 10 months, almost a year.

Oops, there's more money to be sucked out of FIFA yet, so better not rush off too quickly.

Yes, 7-10 months to ensure potential "witnesses" don't talk, incriminating documents are lost, misfiled, altered or shredded and time to move all the money into less easily traceable offshore accounts.

I'd like to see him shown the door now with his office, computer, files etc sealed until they can be gone over with a file tooth comb.

While he's still around at Fifa he has access to everything unless controls are put in place. I'm sure he do all he can to reduce evidence of his links to all that's been going on.

Edited June 3, 2015 by NongKhaiKid

[wabothai]

and the world looked at it for 17 years and knew it.

I hope they put the weasel away for the rest of his remaining life.

[JeremyBowskill]

Please can we have a re vote on the ridiculous middle eastern world cup now...............

[steven100]

He'll go 'within months'. Between December and March is 7 to 10 months, almost a year.

Oops, there's more money to be sucked out of FIFA yet, so better not rush off too quickly.

Yes, 7-10 months to ensure potential "witnesses" don't talk, incriminating documents are lost, misfiled, altered or shredded and time to move all the money into less easily traceable offshore accounts.

I'd like to see him shown the door now with his office, computer, files etc sealed until they can be gone over with a file tooth comb.

While he's still around at Fifa he has access to everything unless controls are put in place. I'm sure he do all he can to reduce evidence of his links to all that's been going on.

just heard his shredder has blown up ... he's ordered another from a nearby office ...

[boomerangutang]

I heard he got 3 rotweilers who like to eat paper (mixed with tuna, of course), and they're pretty good at guarding the office door.

[Emster23]

Can we get some "well dones" from the group that takes every opp to bash USA? And maybe those that whinge about US being "policeman of the world"? Begs question why didn't some other nations go after FIFA years ago? Some European ones....

do you want a well done cuddle american bashing is just stating facts that you dont like get over yourself tonto people thai bash my country on here to but i dont start crying like you,but as to going after fifa years ago you are 100% correct spineless to the core,i would say complicit in corruption too,

I love you too. I'm hardly crying. Once Putin congratulated Blatter, the writing was on the wall. Good Thai girl or wanky Russian? Hmmm. Did I mention Thailand? No. BTW what are "tonto people"? Watching Lone Ranger pirate DVDs? One slam against USA is why did they investigate for 24 years???? Make a whole career almost before actually do something....

[daveAustin]

Can we get some "well dones" from the group that takes every opp to bash USA? And maybe those that whinge about US being "policeman of the world"? Begs question why didn't some other nations go after FIFA years ago? Some European ones....

Watch that swelled head doesn't explode yankee boy. It was only really since the African bid and more recently that stuff has come to light.