SEPP BLATTER HAS announced he is to resign as Fifa president.
In a hastily arranged news conference today, Blatter stated that Fifa needed “profound restructuring” after a week of scandal and arrests engulfed world football’s governing body.
Blatter who has been president since 1998 — winning a fifth term just last week — stated that Fifa would hold an extraordinary congress where a new president would be elected.
However, despite last week’s comprehensive victory, the 79-year stated he does not believe he has the full support of all Fifa’s members.
Speaking in French, Blatter said:
“I have been reflecting deeply about my presidency and about the forty years in which my life has been inextricably bound to Fifa and the great sport of football. 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.
“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.
“Therefore, I have decided to lay down my mandate at an extraordinary elective Congress. I will continue to exercise my functions as Fifa President until that election.”
Any congress to elect a new president is not expected to take place before October this year.
More to follow…
