FIFA president Sepp Blatter announces his resignation. Why now?
In the face of a corruption scandal around world soccer鈥檚 governing organization, FIFA president Sepp Blatter declared that he is stepping down.
In the face of a corruption scandal around world soccer鈥檚 governing organization, FIFA president Sepp Blatter declared that he is stepping down.
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 arrested several FIFA officials on corruption charges. Despite the controversy, Blatter was re-elected for his fifth term 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 wrote as he live-tweeted updates.
The straight answer, for now, remains elusive. In his announcement, 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:
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ABC News reported. 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 released a statement 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.