Sepp Blatter today resigned as FIFA President at a "hastily called news conference in Zurich" in the wake of an international corruption inquiry. Blatter, who led the governing body for 17 years and "had just won re-election for a fifth four-year term," delivered a "short speech." He said, "FIFA needs a profound restructuring. ... Although the members of FIFA have given me the new mandate, this mandate does not seem to be supported by everybody in the world of football." FIFA Audit & Compliance Committee Chair Domenico Scala said that a "special meeting of FIFA’s member nations will be called to elect a new president." According to FIFA’s rules, there "must be at least four months’ notice given to members for such a meeting." Blatter "will continue his duties in the meantime" (NYTIMES.com, 6/2).
ESPN’s Bob Ley said the news was “stunning.” He added the “trail of the money, the alleged bribes, has gotten closer and closer to the throne.” Ley: “It has the potential to reshape certainly the cast of the leadership at FIFA. It has potential to breathe life into the hopes of the United States to host the 2026 World Cup.” ESPN’s Ian Darke: “Something has happened in the last four days that has changed everything here. Somebody has confronted Sepp Blatter. It's not like him to not ride out the storm” (ESPN, 6/2).
Roundup of digital headlines:
London Times: "Blatter Stands Down As President Of Fifa"
AFP: "Blatter Quits As FIFA Corruption Pressure Mounts"
Reuters: "Blatter Rocks World Soccer By Quitting FIFA Amid Scandal"
MSNBC.com: "So Long, Sepp"
The Guardian offers a timeline of events leading up to Blatter's stepping down.
