FIFA President Steps Down Amidst Bribery, Match Fixing Scandals
Just days after Sepp Blatter was re-elected to his post as FIFA President, on Tuesday he unexpectedly announced his resignation in the face of a growing corruption investigation, the worst the game's governing body has seen in its history.
The announcement comes just days after a handful of high ranking FIFA officials were indicted for alleged corruption and bribery.
"FIFA needs profound restructuring," said Blatter, a Swiss national who has been a dominating presence at FIFA for decades.
"I have thoroughly considered my presidency and thought about my presidency and the last 40 years of my life," Blatter, speaking in French, told the news conference.
"I decided to stand again to be elected because I was convinced it was the best option for football.
"Although the members of FIFA gave me a new mandate, this mandate does not seem to be supported by everyone in the world."
It’s not just the corruption and bribery scandal that has rocked FIFA in recent years. Match fixing cases have become more frequent.
On Tuesday, the European Socialist Party in the European Parliament invited anti-match-fixing organisation Federbet to present the results of its 2015 report.
About 50 games in the 2014-2015 season are suspected to have been rigged, European Parliament member Marc Tarabella, from the European Socialist Party, claims.
- Alistair Prescott, Gambling911.com
