FIFA president Sepp Blatter resigns forcing leadership election: social media rejoiced
Sepp Blatter has resigned from the position of president forcing a new election for the leadership of FIFA. As a result social media users and the media celebrated scrutinising Blatter's role at the football body amid its corruption investigation.
Amid pressure from the international media, Blatter announced in a hastily arranged press conference that he was to end his reign of the body which lasted a total of 17 years.
After winning a fifth term as president last week amid wide condemnation, Blatter said: "I will organise extraordinary congress for a replacement for me as president. I will not stand. I am now free from the constraints of an election. I will be in a position to focus on profound reforms. For many years we have called for reforms. But these are not sufficient.
“We need a limitation on mandates and terms of office. I have fought for these changes but my efforts have been counteracted.”
He concluded: "FIFA’s interest are dear to me. That’s why I have taken this decision. What counts most for me, is the institution of Fifa and football around the world.”
Domenico Scala, chairman of the FIFAaudit and compliance committee, emerged after Blatter on stage to state that FIFA will be reformed to "include fundamental changes to the way the organisation is structured.
Brands and members of the media were quick to comment on the move.
Paddy Power
Expect Liverpool to be linked with a £50m move for Blatter in tomorrow's papers.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) June 2, 2015
HaveIGotNewsForYou
Blatter resigns. Twitter tributes pour in.
And....he's gone! pic.twitter.com/5lOU9lgz1u
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) June 2, 2015
And he was so close to bringing football back to the beaches as well, such a shame.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) June 2, 2015
— HaveIGotNewsForYou (@haveigotnews) June 2, 2015
Sports Illustrated
Sepp Blatter is the president of nobody http://t.co/Vf6KMq1vJG pic.twitter.com/mTS2UH9bj6
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 2, 2015
NOW TV SPORT
Sepp Blatter is a genius. While the football world reacts to his resignation, he makes one last move. #FIFA pic.twitter.com/fryFMtR7x1
— NOW TV Sport (@NOWTVSport) June 2, 2015
Liam McHugh, NBC Sports reporter, referenced Jack Warner’s Onion gaffe
Sure, I saw the press conference, but I'll wait until The Onion reports on Blatter's resignation before I truly believe it.
— Liam McHugh (@liam_mchugh) June 2, 2015
Football Tips
Sepp Blatter, ladies and gents... https://t.co/Sxmj0XTB3v
— Football Tips (@footballtips) June 2, 2015
Jamie Ross, Buzzfeed reporter
Please show some respect for Sepp Blatter as he resigns and don't RT this photo, he would hate that. pic.twitter.com/yV4gtOCfRK
— Jamie Ross (@JamieRoss7) June 2, 2015
By far the most LOL line in Blatter's resignation statement. Who knew he had such a gift for stand-up pic.twitter.com/20AAheIFIc
— Stuart Millar (@stuartmillar159) June 2, 2015
Sepp Blatter announces his successor Mr Ppes Rettalb pic.twitter.com/nUDYCStKLE
— Halt and Retch Bile (@Bro_Pair) June 2, 2015
Hey, Blatter... pic.twitter.com/dCbusLUOq1
— Luke Easterling (@LukeEasterling) June 2, 2015
Cut the top off a mouldy carrot... you've still got a mouldy carrot. Long road ahead #FIFA #Blatter pic.twitter.com/6TxzDLlrFV
— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) June 2, 2015
Some FIFA members will gripe Blatter exit is due to bullying by big US money & Washington. Clearly true, but doesn't mean resignation wrong
— Robert Peston (@Peston) June 2, 2015
Right, now that Blatter's out of the way, the urgent business of getting the #WorldCup withdrawn from Qatar begins. #FIFA
— GeorgeMonbiot (@GeorgeMonbiot) June 2, 2015