Sepp Blatter quit as the head of world football as it emerged that he is being investigated by the FBI and US prosecutors over corruption allegations.
The 79-year-old, who had appeared untouchable following his re-election as Fifa president last week, finally bowed to massive pressure over the scandal engulfing the sport.
Sources told ABC News that the FBI was investigating Fifa in the same way it would have conducted an old-fashioned inquiry into organised crime in New York.
One source said investigators were hoping to get lower-ranking officials to give evidence against Blatter: ‘Now that people are going to want to save themselves, there’s probably a race to see who will flip on [Blatter] first.’
Another source added: ‘We may not be able to collapse the whole organisation but maybe you don’t need to.’
Investigators will also focus on Jerome Valcke, Fifa’s secretary general since 2007.
Last night it was claimed that Mr Blatter was also on the verge of being targeted by investigators in his native Switzerland.
He was re-elected on Friday even though seven of the governing body’s top officials had been arrested two days earlier as part of the US investigation into corruption. But yesterday he performed a sensational U-turn – hours after his right-hand man Mr Valke was linked directly to the payment of a £6.5million bribe. Mr Valcke immediately denied he was responsible for the alleged payment over South Africa’s bid to host the 2010 World Cup.
Announcing his intention to quit after 17 years as Fifa president, a clearly shaken Mr Blatter said he would call an extraordinary Fifa congress ‘as soon as possible’ to elect a new president. ‘It is my deep care for Fifa and its interests, which I hold very dear, that has led me to take this decision,’ he said.
‘I have been reflecting deeply about my presidency and about the 40 years in which my life has been inextricably bound to Fifa and the great sport of football. I cherish Fifa more than anything and I want to do only what is best for Fifa and for football.’
His announcement in Zurich came as:
* Fifa admitted it paid $10million (£6.5million) destined for the South Africa World Cup to an account controlled by disgraced former vice-president Jack Warner, following a letter from the South African FA to Mr Valcke.
* It emerged Mr Blatter would face FBI questioning if he attends the women’s World Cup due to begin next week in Canada.
* US investigators revealed that more charges are likely against senior Fifa officials.
* Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein of Jordan, defeated by Mr Blatter last week, emerged as the early frontrunner to succeed him.
* There were new questions over whether the 2018 and 2022 World Cups would go ahead as planned in Russia and Qatar respectively, with England emerging as favourite to host the 2018 tournament if it is stripped from Russia.
Even in his resignation speech, Mr Blatter sought to defend his role, saying: ‘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.’
His announcement was immediately welcomed, with FA chairman Greg Dyke hailing it as ‘great news for football’ and calling for reform of Fifa.
‘This is the start of something new,’ he said. ‘Clearly there’s a smoking gun of some sort. He’s not been honourable in years. Now he’s gone, let’s celebrate.
‘Fifa needs a root and branch examination, we need to know where the money is being spent.
‘It’s been a corrupt organisation for something like 30 years and at long last we’ve got a chance to change it.’ While no timetable has been set for the election for Mr Blatter’s successor, officials have said it could take place any time between September and March.
Mr Blatter will continue in his role until then. His resignation comes after nine Fifa officials and five others were charged with high level corruption by the FBI.
They included several in the ‘inner circle’ that voted on who would host the next two World Cups. Seven were arrested in dawn raids at their £1,000-a-night hotel in an operation Mr Blatter had suggested was timed to undermine his re-election bid.
The cases have been built with the help of officials who turned supergrass. Conservative MP Damian Collins, who has long campaigned for reform of Fifa, said Mr Blatter must not be allowed to ‘escape the investigation of past wrongdoing’.
Culture Secretary John Whittingdale, who had called for Mr Blatter to stand down, said: ‘This is only the beginning of the process of change we need to see from Fifa.
‘I sincerely hope this is the first step to a new Fifa that can command the confidence and respect of the football world once again.’
Daily Mail