The dreams and demands of thousands of football fans and officials were finally answered early on Wednesday morning (AEST) as FIFA president Sepp Blatter shockingly announced his resignation in front of an almost deserted press conference.
It follows a week of scandal where a number of top FIFA officials were arrested on charges on bribery, money laundering, and racketeering.
Blatter had fought off competition from Jordanian Prince Ali bin Hussein to win a fifth term as president following elections last week, and his decision comes as a big shock.
More:
» Blatter steps down from the circus
» Blatter under FBI investigation
» FFA welcomes Blatter’s resignation
» Who could replace Blatter as FIFA president?
The press conference started tamely enough with Blatter saying he “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,” Blatter continued.
“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.”
Head of audit and compliance committee Domenico Scala said the new election would occur between December and March, with the next extraordinary meeting currently scheduled for March 13 next year in Mexico City.
The resignation comes amid increasing pressure from a number of FIFA members, including FFA boss Frank Lowy and FA chairman Greg Dyke.
Dyke, who had claimed Blatter “wouldn’t last two years” of his fifth term, was clearly delighted with the announcement, saying it is “brilliant for world football”.
“Something has come out of the events of last week that has caused Mr Blatter to resign … He’s gone. At long last we can sort out FIFA. We can go back to looking at those two World Cups. If I were Qatar right now I wouldn’t be feeling very comfortable.”
Michel Platini, UEFA’s president who had also called for Blatter to step down, said that, “it was a difficult decision. A brave decision. The right decision.”
Platini is widely considered as a frontrunner to replace the departing Blatter as president of FIFA.
Blatter had previously questioned suggestions that he should stand down, suggesting any such action “would mean I recognise that I did wrong.”
He will remain president, a role he has held for 17 years, until the new elections, which will be held at an extraordinary meeting to be decided by FIFA executives.
“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,” Blatter said.
“We need deep-rooted structural change. This time, I will succeed. I cannot do this alone.”
“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”
The future of FIFA’s World Cup tournaments in Russia and Qatar will surely come under question now that Blatter has stepped down, however possible incumbent Platini was a supporter of the Qatar bid.
The decision also raises questions about whether Michael J. Garcia’s report into allegations of corruption in world association football will be released in full.
TahDan
Roar Guru
Well, I'm an NRL and Rugby Union fan, but I'm aware there are irrational code warriors who support every sport. Fuss, is merely an example of a soccer one.
SAVAGE
Guest
Well, if you must use that logic, while you're wearing your Nike or Adidas, how often do employees of Nike & Adidas wind up dead as a result of work practices? I don't know, but why don't you go and ask them in countries like Indonesia, Bangladesh, Vietnam,you know the countries with excellent safety records and top of the world working conditions with, with world class wages, while you're reading this blog on your Samsung or Apple device which is made in the afore mentioned countries. Don't be too quick to throw around the word hypocrite.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Dont think many people are naive enough to consider sports corruption as a new thing, or something invented by FIFA. Many are just happy that an openly blatant organization that thought the whole world were idiots when they would serve up laughable excuses. This organization was also a global laughing stock dragging the football name through the mud. Hopefully these arrests will cause reform in a blatantly corrupt organization, thats all we football fans want.
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
Justin, I hope you are right. Did Qatar run a dirty race, yes they did, however they have the money to make this go along way that is all I'm saying.
Justin Mahon
Guest
Wrong. FIFA makes many regulations which govern (ie manage) how FA's run domestic football beyond the Laws of the Game. They govern player transfers, registration of agents, player registration, player welfare, FA participation in confederation and FIFA tournaments, club training compensation and much, much, much more. When you understand the difference between a unitary system of government, split division of powers within a unitary federation and/or global division by confederation and federation - and are able to articulate how division it statutorily provided for across all three levels - then get back to me with quaint metaphors. The world is never as simple as you pretend. FIFA weilds enormous power over domestic football. That's why the game has been such a global powerhouse. Imagine how it will go with real reform of it can be achieved.
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
Steve, I agree. AR, who are you trying to convince, us or yourself?
Justin Mahon
Guest
I think Bonita is a bitter ex-employee (just my opinion based on her bitter social media presence) Andrew Jennings is a book salesman and little more. Many (but not all) corporations are corrupt and the courts are full of them. The media is, with little exception, about as relevant as me but far less professional. One can be for income redistribution without supporting corruption. I certainly am. Finally, as I said elsewhere, to suggest FIFA invented sports corruption as some here would like us to believe is not nieve - it is actively and calculatingly mischievous.
Justin Mahon
Guest
Maybe, but do they have a case of the bidding rules are demonstrated to have been broken by Qatar. The hosting agreement would surely seek to maintain absolute power and flexibility for FIFA. You can't have it both ways and argue (1) Qatar ran a dirty race and (2) Qatar have legal rights.
Justin Mahon
Guest
He have to to the confederation. Not t the consultant. Not to Warner. This is a fact that is undisputed.
R.U Sirius.
Guest
I must admit, I only came here to read what "the deluded one" had to say about this situation. He delivered as expected.
Bondy
Guest
Interesting read . " The 2022 World Cup could be hosted by the United States as an alternative to Qatar ." (http://www.espnfc.com.au/fifa-world-cup/story/2477117/2022-world-cup-could-go-to-us-if-there-is-a-revote-dyke) ...
pete4
Guest
Let's not forget former US President Bill Clinton who was the honorary chairman of the USA World Cup bid committee who reportedly was so upset Qatar won but afterwards he still accepted around $5m dollars in donations from Qatar through his "Bill Clinton Foundation"
Kaks
Roar Guru
Fuss, you legitimately answered my question by saying what you said. "Blatter does not legislate. The Congress legislates. Blatter can only implement what Congress legislates. Blatter cannot “change the current system” any more than Tony Abbott can “change the current system.”" Correct, Blatter cannot legislate just like Tony Abbott cannot legislate. However Abbott can easily push his legislatures through the house of representatives with the power he received by winning a majority election just like Blatter can...
AR
Guest
Absolutely Steve. I follow soccer/football and have done for a very long time (as well as many other sports), but what I *don't* do, is subscribe to the theory of "you cannot criticise or offer any contrary opinion for make benefit glorious nation of FIFA!"...which occasionally gets missed on this site.
TheVolley
Guest
The Russia bid might be safe due to time constaints, Qatar not so. Frankly I suggest FIFA headquarters no longer stay in Switzerland. This country simply did not do anything to probe years of allegations of corruption.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
"Why would a smaller nation vote for anyone other than Blatter when they know he wont change the current system" Is that you Cameron Kellett? You are so misinformed about the Fifa Statues it's comical. Have you read the Statutes? Do you understand the legislative process? Blatter does not legislate. The Congress legislates. Blatter can only implement what Congress legislates. Blatter cannot "change the current system" any more than Tony Abbott can "change the current system." It's apparent the majority of people can't read & understand Statutory instruments - and, believe me, The Fifa Statutes are not complex. Congress needs to change the current system for Fifa.
Steve
Guest
On a general level, to not assume so is pretty arrogant. From my experience, on a proportionate level there are just as many fair minded people that support football as NRL, AFL, cricket, tennis, basketball - often with significant overlap. Just as there as many idiots that support each sport, despite what the ideologues of each sport claim.
sheek
Roar Guru
The police will tell us that in about 98% of all crimes, the perpetrator usually leaves a clue, no matter how thorough the crook is in covering their tracks. Often its some small thing of presumedly little consequence that brings them unstuck. The hope is that those executive members of FIFA who have had their snouts in the trough for so long will start to panic at the greater scrutiny of their affairs. At least enough of them to bring the FIFA house of ill-repute crashing now. I reckon this will be how FIFA comes unstuck. It won't be EUFA, or players & officials, or even the sponsors, although they might be responsible for getting the ball rolling. We should definitely thank the FBI on this occasion. No, it will be those crooks who have accumulated their ill-gotten fortune who now be starting to get nervous, very nervous. For me, this is where it could get interesting. Especially if they start giving each other up. Sing my babies, sing.....
cm
Guest
They would potentially get less under a uefa controlled fifa. Some might not view that as a bad thing but I take the view that the finals should be representative of global reach... It's important for the health of the game.
Whites
Guest
You should probably read up on the Salt Lake City Olympics.