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Fifa

Fifa’s communications chief quits after joke backfires badly

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By John Glenday, Reporter

June 12, 2015 | 1 min read

Fifa’s communication chief Walter De Gregorio has resigned after his boss Sepp Blatter reportedly failed to see the funny side of a poorly-judged joke poking fun at the bribery scandal presently engulfing the organisation.

Speaking on Swiss TV during an appearance on the Roger Schawinksi Show, Gregorio asked: “The Fifa president, secretary general and communications director are all travelling in a car. Who’s driving?” before delivering his punchline ‘the police’.

Following the appearance Fifa released a statement confirming Gregorio’s immediate departure, it said: “Walter De Gregorio has decided to relinquish his office with immediate effect as director of communications & public affairs,” said a Fifa statement. “[He] will serve Fifa on a consultancy basis until the end of this year. His deputy Nicolas Maingot will resume the role ad interim.”

Blatter has himself announced he will resign his post following a fresh election to find a new leader.

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