Sepp Blatter has announced his intention to resign as the head of FIFA amid fresh revelations of corruption at footballs top level.
In
a surprise announcement at FIFA HQ in Zurich this evening, Blatter
revealed that he will call an emergency congress of FIFA executives to
vote in his replacement.
According to Daily Mail, While
no timetable has yet been set for the election, officials have said it
could take place any time between December this year and March next
year. Blatter will continue in his role until then.
At
a press conference this evening, 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.
'The
next ordinary FIFA Congress will take place on 13 May 2016 in Mexico
City. This would create unnecessary delay and I will urge the Executive
Committee to organise an Extraordinary Congress for the election of my
successor at the earliest opportunity.
'This
will need to be done in line with FIFA's statutes and we just allow
enough time for the best candidates to present themselves and to
campaign.
'Since
I shall not be a candidate, and am therefore now free from the
constraints that elections inevitably impose, I shall be able to focus
on driving far-reaching, fundamental reforms that transcend our previous
efforts.
'For
years, we have worked hard to put in place administrative reforms, but
it is plain to me that while these must continue, they are not enough.
'The
Executive Committee includes representatives of confederations over
whom we have no control, but for whose actions FIFA is held responsible.
We need deep-rooted structural change.
'The size of the Executive Committee must be reduced and its members should be elected through the FIFA Congress.
'The
integrity checks for all Executive Committee members must be organised
centrally through FIFA and not through the confederations. We need term
limits not only for the president but for all members of the Executive
Committee.
'I have fought for these changes before and, as everyone knows, my efforts have been blocked.
'This
time, I will succeed. I cannot do this alone. I have asked Domenico
Scala to oversee the introduction and implementation of these and other
measures.
'Domenico Scala is the Independent Chairman of our Audit and Compliance Committee elected by the FIFA Congress.
'He is also the Chairman of the ad hoc Electoral Committee and, as such, he will oversee the election of my successor.
'Mr.
Scala enjoys the confidence of a wide range of constituents within and
outside of FIFA and has all the knowledge and experience necessary to
help tackle these major reforms.
'It is my deep care for FIFA and its interests, which I hold very dear, that has led me to take this decision.
'I
would like to thank those who have always supported me in a
constructive and loyal manner as President of FIFA and who have done so
much for the game that we all love.
'What matters to me more than anything is that when all of this is over, football is the winner.'
