lol, FIFA

[Twist]

This is all great until all the countries that were paying off Blatter just pay off their next chosen candidate.

[Maxx]

You're welcome, rest of world.

[Matt]

That was... Unexpected. I'm guessing someone spilled the beans to the FBI and Blatter got wind.

[Lineker]

Oh the FBI will still go after Blatter. He's actually showing some integrity now, because he's separated himself from FIFA.

[MDK]

I was just about to say, does this mean someone has found the bodies or something? Because why would you run for prez and then resign a few days later?

[Lineker]

Sepp Blatter says: "I have thoroughly considered my presidency and thought about my presidency and the last 40 years in my life.

"These years were closely related to Fifa and this wonderful sport of football, I appreciate and love Fifa more than anything else and only want to do the best for football and Fifa and our institution.

"I decided to stand again to be elected because I convinced it was the best option for football. The challenges that Fifa are facing have not come to an end."

"Although the members of Fifa gave me a new mandate, this mandate does not seem to be supported by everyone in the world.

"This is why I will call an extraordinary congress to be held as soon as possible for a new president elected to follow me with a new election held."

Blatter has resigned. Can't quite believe it. FIFA always appeared to be such a fine upstanding organisation.

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker)

June 2, 2015

[Matt]

Oh the FBI will still go after Blatter. He's actually showing some integrity now, because he's separated himself from FIFA.

Undoubtedly but I've no doubt he's done this because he thinks it will save his own backside to some degree, whether that's just because the PR won't be quite as bad as it would if he was arrested whilst president or he wants to try and play the "I was just dumb and incompetent" card and is resigning through the pretence of embarrassment.

[brenchill]

I wonder if it will turn out that Blatter was the good guy all along, fighting corruption.

[Lineker]

Blatter told Swiss TV on Friday: “Why would I step down? That would mean I recognise that I did wrong.”

Hmmm.

[HailtotheYo]

[JasonM]

So instead of giving the runner up Prince Ali the job, they have decided to hold yet another election in 5-10 months...

The pessimist in me is saying that Blatter is going to come up with his chosen one and then that guy is chosen and the circle of jerk continues.

[Lineker]

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. I 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.

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. The next ordinary Fifa Congress will take place on 13 May 2016 in Mexico City. This would create unnecessary delay and I will urge the Executive Committee to organise an Extraordinary Congress for the election of my successor at the earliest opportunity. This will need to be done in line with Fifa’s statutes and we must allow enough time for the best candidates to present themselves and to campaign. 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.

For years, we have worked hard to put in place administrative reforms, but it is plain to me that while these must continue, they are not enough. The Executive Committee includes representatives of confederations over whom we have no control, but for whose actions Fifa is held responsible. We need deep-rooted structural change. The size of the Executive Committee must be reduced and its members should be elected through the Fifa Congress. The integrity checks for all Executive Committee members must be organised centrally through Fifa and not through the confederations. We need term limits not only for the president but for all members of the Executive Committee. I have fought for these changes before and, as everyone knows, my efforts have been blocked.

This time, I will succeed. I cannot do this alone. I have asked Domenico Scala to oversee the introduction and implementation of these and other measures. Mr Scala is the Independent Chairman of our Audit and Compliance Committee elected by the Fifa Congress. He is also the Chairman of the ad hoc Electoral Committee and, as such, he will oversee the election of my successor. Mr Scala enjoys the confidence of a wide range of constituents within and outside of Fifa and has all the knowledge and experience necessary to help tackle these major reforms. It is my deep care for Fifa and its interests, which I hold very dear, that has led me to take this decision. 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.

[Lineker]

Domenico Scala, Fifa's head of audit and compliance: "The next Fifa conference is in May 2016 in Mexico City but as president Blatter has stated it would be an unnecessary delay.

"There needs to be four months notice for any presidential elections. Fifa considers time to vet candidates. The decision for the timing of the election of the next president will be up to the executive committee and will take place any time from December until March."

[Whisper]

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. I felt compelled to stand for re-election, as I believed that this was the best thing for the organisation. That election is over but Fifas challenges are not. Fifa needs a profound overhaul.

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. The next ordinary Fifa Congress will take place on 13 May 2016 in Mexico City. This would create unnecessary delay and I will urge the Executive Committee to organise an Extraordinary Congress for the election of my successor at the earliest opportunity. This will need to be done in line with Fifas statutes and we must allow enough time for the best candidates to present themselves and to campaign. 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.

For years, we have worked hard to put in place administrative reforms, but it is plain to me that while these must continue, they are not enough. The Executive Committee includes representatives of confederations over whom we have no control, but for whose actions Fifa is held responsible. We need deep-rooted structural change. The size of the Executive Committee must be reduced and its members should be elected through the Fifa Congress. The integrity checks for all Executive Committee members must be organised centrally through Fifa and not through the confederations. We need term limits not only for the president but for all members of the Executive Committee. I have fought for these changes before and, as everyone knows, my efforts have been blocked.

This time, I will succeed. I cannot do this alone. I have asked Domenico Scala to oversee the introduction and implementation of these and other measures. Mr Scala is the Independent Chairman of our Audit and Compliance Committee elected by the Fifa Congress. He is also the Chairman of the ad hoc Electoral Committee and, as such, he will oversee the election of my successor. Mr Scala enjoys the confidence of a wide range of constituents within and outside of Fifa and has all the knowledge and experience necessary to help tackle these major reforms. It is my deep care for Fifa and its interests, which I hold very dear, that has led me to take this decision. 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.

That's all well and good, but what does Sepp Blatter have to say about it?

[JasonM]

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. I felt compelled to stand for re-election, as I believed that this was the best thing for the organisation. That election is over but Fifas challenges are not. Fifa needs a profound overhaul.

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. The next ordinary Fifa Congress will take place on 13 May 2016 in Mexico City. This would create unnecessary delay and I will urge the Executive Committee to organise an Extraordinary Congress for the election of my successor at the earliest opportunity. This will need to be done in line with Fifas statutes and we must allow enough time for the best candidates to present themselves and to campaign. 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.

For years, we have worked hard to put in place administrative reforms, but it is plain to me that while these must continue, they are not enough. The Executive Committee includes representatives of confederations over whom we have no control, but for whose actions Fifa is held responsible. We need deep-rooted structural change. The size of the Executive Committee must be reduced and its members should be elected through the Fifa Congress. The integrity checks for all Executive Committee members must be organised centrally through Fifa and not through the confederations. We need term limits not only for the president but for all members of the Executive Committee. I have fought for these changes before and, as everyone knows, my efforts have been blocked.

This time, I will succeed. I cannot do this alone. I have asked Domenico Scala to oversee the introduction and implementation of these and other measures. Mr Scala is the Independent Chairman of our Audit and Compliance Committee elected by the Fifa Congress. He is also the Chairman of the ad hoc Electoral Committee and, as such, he will oversee the election of my successor. Mr Scala enjoys the confidence of a wide range of constituents within and outside of Fifa and has all the knowledge and experience necessary to help tackle these major reforms. It is my deep care for Fifa and its interests, which I hold very dear, that has led me to take this decision. 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.

That's all well and good, but what does Sepp Blatter have to say about it?

Pretty sure he's on a flight to the darkest part of the world, bags filled with millions and millions of bribes he managed to collect in the past election season.

[Lint]

When this whole thing started, he was forbidden from leaving Switzerland until further notice

[Lineker]

He is planning on attending the Women's World Cup Final in Canada in a few weeks.

[Lineker]

Prince Ali and David Ginola have confirmed that they will run.

[GoGo Yubari]

He is planning on attending the Women's World Cup Final in Canada in a few weeks.

Aw man, it's too bad that I really don't think the USA is going to win, because that would be hilarious.

[MDK]

So Splatt is under investigation by the U.S it seems