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Sepp Blatter has announced that he will step down from his post as FIFA president. He also stated that an “emergency congress” will be held to elect his successor. His decision to step down comes as a surprise after being re-elected for the fifth time just four days ago after 17 years at the helm.
After having announced his resignation, 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 was convinced it was the best option for football. The challenges that Fifa are facing have not come to an end.”
Blatter added: “My mandate does not appear to be supported by everybody. This is why I will call an extraordinary meeting. I will organise extraordinary congress for a replacement for me as president. I will not stand.”
While Blatter did not specify a date for the extraordinary congress, it is expected to take about 4 months for another such event can be held. Sepp will remain in power in the interim. The next ordinary FIFA congress will be in May 2016.
Earlier in the day, it was revealed that FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke had been responsible for the authorisation of a $10 million payment in 2008 to Jack Warner who was a FIFA official at the time to ensure that the 2010 World Cup would be held in South Africa.
Reactions
In the aftermath of the announcement from Sepp Blatter, UEFA president Michel Platini said, “It was a difficult decision, a brave decision, and the right decision.”
Sepp Blatter had come under severe criticism before, during and even after his re-election for the fifth time with the English FA considering pulling out of the World Cup and looking like it would have the support of most countries under UEFA.
The English FA chairman Greg Dyke also chimed in with his own statement, it read: “We welcome today’s announcement and believe it is good news for world football and FIFA.
“Change at the very top of FIFA is the necessary first step in delivering real reform of the organisation.
“We will now commit ourselves to play whatever role we can to support a positive transformation of FIFA for the benefit of all its members.”
Candidates to succeed Blatter
UEFA president Platini has been considered widely as a favourite to replace Blatter but Frenchman David Ginola has emerged as a strong contender as well.
It remains to be seen if Luis Figo and Michael Von Praag will also compete again in the elections having pulled out of the race calling FIFA a dictatorial regime. Blatter's only opponent from the 65th FIFA congress, Jordan's Prince Ali bin al Hussein will be expected to run as well.
