ZURICH (AP) – FIFA President Sepp Blatter says he will resign from soccer’s governing body amid a widening corruption scandal and has promised to call for fresh elections to choose a successor.
A new week has brought new turmoil for soccer’s embattled 79-year-old president and his scandal-tainted governing body, which is in the midst of the worst corruption case in its 111-year history.
“For the good of the game, it is time for Sepp Blatter to go,” British sports and culture secretary John Whittingdale told the House of Commons on Monday.
Blatter announced he will be stepping down as head of world soccer’s governing body but only after the organization’s executive committee organizes a new election “for the election of my successor,” he said today.
Blatter was voted to continue to chair FIFA on Friday.
“I have thoroughly thought about my presidency and the 40 years FIFA has played in my life. I love FIFA more than anything else and I only want to do the best. I decided to stand again for election for the good of football,” he sad, referring to his re-election Friday.
Many are speculating the timing of his resignation, and how it plays into the FIFA corruption controversy.
Stay with KRON for more on this developing story.