German Football Official Demands That FIFA President Sepp Blatter Resign

German Football League President Reinhard Rauball "demanded the resignation" of FIFA President Sepp Blatter in the wake of FIFA's bribery scandal, according to the DPA. In an interview with 'Die Welt', Rauball said, "Sepp Blatter should hand over his official duties as quickly as possible. In order to start a reform process, FIFA needs someone who is willing to start from zero." FIFA Executive Member and former president of the German Football Federation Theo Zwanziger said, "It was very depressing to read all the information." Zwanziger demanded consequences for former FIFA President João Havelange and an explanation of the scandal. Rauball called for a special meeting of the FIFA Congress and wants "all facts on the table." Rauball added, "ISL allegedly paid CHF123M ($125M) to FIFA officials. Proved has only been that Havelange and Teixeira received about CHF14M ($14M). This means a little over 10% of the total amount has been attested. Where did the rest of the money go?" (DPA, 7/13). REUTERS' Brian Homewood reported that Blatter, who has been with FIFA since '75, and succeeded Havelange as president in '98, knew that "payments were being made." Blatter referred to them as "commission" and said that "they were not illegal at the time." Asked if he had known of payments, Blatter replied: "Known what? That commission was paid? Back then, such payments could even be deducted from tax as a business expense. Today, that would be punishable under law. You can't judge the past on the basis of today's standards" (REUTERS, 7/14).

BRAZIL: The DPA reported that the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) "will continue its collaboration" with ex-president Ricardo Teixeira despite his involvement in the FIFA bribery scandal. CBF President Jose Maria Marin said that "the allegations against Teixeira have nothing to do with his advising role for the CBF" (DPA, 7/13).