Controversial FIFA president Sepp Blatter has resigned just days after being re-elected.
In a surprise news conference, the Swiss announced his resignation citing a lack of support adding that:
“An extraordinary congress is to be called to elect my successor as soon as possible.”
At the conference he said:
“I have thoroughly considered my presidency and thought about my presidency and the last 40 years in my life.
“These years were closely related to Fifa and this wonderful sport of football, I appreciate and love Fifa more than anything else and only want to do the best for football and Fifa and our institution.
“I decided to stand again to be elected because I convinced it was the best option for football. The challenges that Fifa are facing have not come to an end.”
Blatter was re-elected last week, despite seven top Fifa officials being arrested two days before the vote as part of a US prosecution. Something has obviously changed his mind over the last 96 hours about his tenure being the best option for football.
He also noted in an understatement:
“My mandate does not appear to be supported by everybody.”
14 people were arrested last week on charges of racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering as part of a US prosecution that also indicted 14 people.
Swiss authorities are also investigating how the 2018 Russian and 2022 Qatar World Cups were allocated.
There are sure to be plenty candidates to replace him all of whom will doubtless promise to clean up FIFA. UEFA president Michel Platini and Jordanian Prince Ali, who challenged Blatter in the last vote, are the two early favourites.
Domenico Scala, Fifa’s head of audit and compliance spoke about the process for the election:
“The next Fifa conference is in May 2016 in Mexico City but as president Blatter has stated it would be an unnecessary delay.
“There needs to be four months notice for any presidential elections. Fifa considers time to vet candidates. The decision for the timing of the election of the next president will be up to the executive committee and will take place any time from December until March.”
Other men who had considered a challenge to Blatter were Dutch football association president Michael van Praag, France’s Jerome Champagne, and former Portugal striker Luis Figo.
Obviously that is a very European field and it is likely that UEFA will seek to settle on one candidate and ensure a block vote against the likely candidature of the Jordanian Ali who garnered 73 votes last week.
The investigatory chamber of an independent Ethics Committee will carry out integrity checks on any candidates.
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