FIFA president Sepp Blatter announces his resignation. Why now?
In a dramatic decision Tuesday, FIFA president Sepp Blatter announced that he is stepping down from his post amid allegations of corruption within the organization.
Mr. Blatter鈥檚 resignation comes less than a week after Swiss authorities raided a hotel in Zurich and on corruption charges. Despite the controversy, Blatter was two days later, making his latest announcement all the more surprising.
鈥淲hy has Sepp Blatter resigned as FIFA president? That鈥檚 the question that pretty much everybody is asking,鈥� The Guardian鈥檚 Gregg Bakowski as he live-tweeted updates.
The straight answer, for now, remains elusive. In , Blatter said that he pushed forward with Friday鈥檚 election because he believed it was best for the organization, though he didn鈥檛 elaborate how.
He went on:
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 鈥� 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.
He urged the organization鈥檚 executive committee to hold an election for his successor prior to the scheduled FIFA Congress next May. In the meantime, Blatter added, he plans to focus on 鈥渄riving far-reaching, fundamental reforms that transcend our previous efforts.鈥�
鈥淲e need deep-rooted structural change,鈥� he said.
Blatter started working at FIFA in 1975 and has been president of the organization since 1998. Last Wednesday, the US Department of Justice released a 47-count indictment that included racketeering conspiracy and corruption, accusing nine FIFA officials and five corporate executives,聽. Among those caught in the net were current FIFA vice presidents Jeffrey Webb and Jack Warner.
Public reaction to Blatter's announcement has varied from joy to sarcasm to skepticism. Grant Wahl, senior writer for Sports Illustrated, questioned whether Blatter鈥檚 resignation would lead to any real change within FIFA, while Gary Neville, coach for the English national soccer team, kept his remarks brief.
Others鈥� responses were a little less serious.
Following Blatter鈥檚 announcement, FIFA on its website, saying that its ethics committee would continue to ensure compliance with the organization鈥檚 code of ethics, regardless of who was president.
鈥淭he body鈥檚 independence from the President, regardless of who is exercising this function, is a key part of good corporate governance,鈥� the statement reads.
