Outgoing FIFA President Sepp Blatter "has emerged as the leading target in a widening criminal scandal investigation underway." Sources said that Blatter "has become the latest top subject" of the U.S. "criminal probe." A source said, "He's a target. He has been for a while" (L.A. TIMES, 6/3). Sources close to Blatter said that the "promise from U.S. investigators that more indictments would follow and reading the scale and magnitude of the case being built up" against him was key to his surprising resignation. In particular, his daughter Corinne "is believed to have encouraged him to stand down" (GUARDIAN, 6/3). Corinne Blatter: "This decision has nothing to do with the accusations that are currently circulating. In the end it was simply a matter of it wearing him down. That was extremely painful for me" (LONDON TIMES, 6/3).
UEFA has canceled a meeting this weekend in Berlin “where member federations were to discuss ways of opposing a Sepp Blatter-led FIFA.” UEFA President Michel Platini, referring to the U.S. probe into corruption in world soccer, said, “Considering new information is revealed every day, I believe it is wiser to take time to assess the situation” (AP, 6/2).
Meanwhile, Interpol today “added six men with ties to FIFA to its most wanted list.” The int’l police group issued an alert for former FIFA execs Jack Warner and Nicolas Leoz on “charges including racketeering and corruption.” Business execs Alejandro Burzaco, Hugo Jinkis, Mariano Jinkis and Jose Margulies were also listed (AP, 6/3).
Qatari stocks today hit a six-week low following Blatter’s resignation, “which sparked fears that Qatar could miss out on hosting” the ’22 World Cup (CNBC.com, 6/3).
London Times, A1, “Blatter Walks And Leaves World Cup In Meltdown”…Gulf News, A1 right rail, “Blatter Quits As FIFA Boss”…Khaleej Times, above the fold, “Blatter Finally Gives Himself The Red Card”…Johannesburg Business Day, above the fold, “Once Mighty Sepp Blatter Calls It Quits As Scandal Engulfs FIFA” …Wall Street Journal Asia, above the fold, “Sepp Blatter To Resign As FIFA President” ... Buenos Aires Herald, top rail, “The Final Whistle For Blatter”
The Washington Post describes how investigative journalist Andrew Jennings, a "curmudgeonly old reporter," exposed much of the corruption at FIFA.
Last night’s national news broadcasts all aired reports on Blatter's resignation. CBS’ “Evening News” teased their report in the opening segment from CBS’ Mark Phillips with the headline, “Resigns.” ABC’s “World News” and NBC’s “Nightly News” aired short reports from the show’s anchors. “CBS This Morning” aired a similar report from Phillips, which appeared on their national news segment and included comments from the Financial Times' Matthew Garrahan. NBCSN’s Roger Bennett appeared in the second hour of the broadcast live in-studio. ABC’s “GMA” aired a short news brief on Blatter, with both reports from ABC and CBS appearing in the first 15 minutes of the broadcasts. NBC’s “Today” did not air a report on Blatter or FIFA in the first two hours.
