THE FIFA MELTDOWN continues.
Walter De Gregorio, FIFA’s director of communications and public affairs, has resigned his position with immediate effect.
De Gregorio was responsible for conducting FIFA’s initial press conference after a number of officials from world football’s governing body had been arrested in Zurich ahead of last month’s FIFA Congress.
He was also present last week as FIFA president Sepp Blatter announced his intention to stand down amid the corruption scandal engulfing the organisation.
And De Gregorio will now leave the position he took up in September 2011 - though he will serve as a consultant to FIFA until the end of the year.
The news breaks after telling a joke on Swiss television, it has been reported. De Gregorio appeared on the Roger Schawinksi show in Switzerland and told the following gag:
Question: “The Fifa president, secretary general and communications director are all travelling in a car. Who’s driving?”Answer: “The police.”
A FIFA statement on Thursday read: “Walter De Gregorio has decided to relinquish his office with immediate effect as director of communications and public affairs.
“Mr De Gregorio joined FIFA on 14 September 2011 and will serve FIFA on a consultancy basis until the end of this year.
“His deputy Nicolas Maingot will resume the role ad interim.”
FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke said: “Walter has worked incredibly hard for the past four years and we are immensely grateful for all he has done.
“I am glad we will be able to continue to draw on his expertise until the end of the year.”
