Sepp Blatter says he will resign from his position amid corruption scandal and is promising to call for fresh elections to choose a successor. Photo / AP
Sepp Blatter may be vacating the president’s chair but the embattled organisation has a lot of work to do to clean up its act.
Sepp Blatter and his mentor Joao Havelange have run global football's governing body since 1974, handing out power to national federations and regional chiefs who rewarded the men with loyalty.
All that could change in the next few months, as a scandal-plagued Blatter calls for a new election that will influence everything from how the organisation is run to how it deals with sponsors, broadcasters, federations, leagues, clubs, players and agents.
Here are some key questions about what has happened since last week's US indictments of Fifa officials, and what will happen next.
Q: Why did Blatter change his mind and resign, just four days after he was elected to a fifth term in a 133-73 vote over Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan?
A: Blatter's explanation was he did not "have a mandate from the entire world of football - the fans, the players, the clubs, the people who live, breathe and love football".
Blatter defiantly brushed aside any criticism when he was re-elected at the weekend, amid the gravest crisis in Fifa's history. After the arrest of former, current and future members of his executive committee, Blatter criticised US authorities and the British media for pursing an anti-Fifa agenda.
The opening days of Blatter's fifth term saw no respite in the corruption crisis.
Q: What does Blatter expect to come out of the criminal investigations?
A: US authorities say additional charges against football officials can be expected.
The New York Times and ABC News reported Blatter himself was under investigation by the FBI.
The Justice Department's public assertions that the investigation was ongoing "telegraphs that there are other people in their focus", said Ed Wilson, a Washington lawyer whose practice focuses on cross-border money transactions.
American investigators have made it clear they view Fifa as rife with organisational corruption, and that means "people both up, down and sideways" from those indicted.
Another question is what Blatter knew about US$10 million ($13.9 million) in payments, which the US says was a bribe for Concacaf officials to vote for South Africa as 2010 World Cup host. Blatter said he knew nothing about the payments.
A US judge has approved the release of the transcript from the hearing in 2013 when Chuck Blazer pleaded guilty to corruption charges. Blazer is a former general-secretary of Concacaf and a former member of Fifa's executive committee.
Q: Was Blatter warned that Fifa finances were at risk?
A: Fifa has been coming under pressure from sponsors to overhaul the governing body, with Visa last week becoming the first to threaten to cut its ties unless there was evidence of reform. Questions were also raised in the House of Commons in London about whether the publicly funded BBC should be paying Fifa for World Cup broadcast rights when Fifa finances were under question.
Q: Will Blatter's resignation affect the next World Cup hosts?
A: A Swiss investigation is looking into the bidding process that saw Russia awarded the 2018 World Cup and Qatar voted the 2022 host in a contentious dual decision in 2010.
The Qatari bid has attracted the most criticism, with accusations the wealthy Gulf nation bribed its way to victory. Qatar has repeatedly denied those allegations, and a strong legal case is likely to be required before any host is stripped of football's US$5 billion event.
Q: When will Blatter's successor be announced?
A: Domenico Scala, chairman of Fifa's audit and compliance committee, announced the presidential election was likely to "take place any time from December of this year to March of next year" at an extraordinary congress.
Q: Who are the candidates likely to be?
A: The favourite will be 59-year-old Michel Platini, the former French national team captain and the president of European football's governing body since 2007. Platini decided not to take on former ally Blatter in the weekend election. Prince Ali hinted yesterday he might have another shot at the presidency.
Q: What will Fifa look like without Blatter?
A: It will probably be more open about the running of the sport. Scala said he would seek to make public the compensation of the president and executive committee members. Blatter called for term limits.
Q: How much input will Blatter have on reform proposals?
A: How lame a duck he will be will be determined by the executive committee, which is likely to set up mechanisms to make proposals and will approve items put on the agenda for the extraordinary congress.
- AP
"It was a difficult decision, a brave decision, and the right decision."
UEFA president Michel Platini, who called on members of his federation to vote against Blatter (left) in last Friday's presidential vote.
"We highly respect this decision of President Blatter to step down and to initiate the necessary reforms - and to make way for a new leadership of Fifa to drive these changes."
International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach.
"Why didn't he step down last week? Clearly there's a smoking gun of some sort. He's not been honourable in years. Now he's gone - let's celebrate."
English Football Association president Greg Dyke, one of Blatter's sternest critics.
"Platini remains my favoured candidate. I always said that."
French Federation president Noel Le Graet, who ignored Platini's advice and voted for Blatter in the Fifa election.
"For me his [Blatter] resignation came as a complete surprise."
Russian Sports Minister and Fifa executive committee member Vitaly Mutko.
"It's a tragedy why he didn't spare us all, and himself, by doing this sooner."
German Football Association president Wolfgang Niersbach, a Fifa executive committee member.
"Prince Ali is ready to take over as Fifa head at any moment, should they ask him."
Sala Sabra, vice-president of the Jordanian Football Federation, signalling that Prince Ali bin al Hussein will run in the next Fifa election.
"The best news for ages! Joseph Blatter stepping down as Fifa president represents the beginning of a new era for world football."
Brazilian football great and politician Romario.
"Change is finally coming. I said on Friday that the day would come sooner or later. Here it is!"
Portuguese football legend Luis Figo, who withdrew from the presidential race to allow Prince Ali to be the sole anti-Blatter candidate.
"Very good news."
Dutch federation president Michael van Praag, who also stepped aside to allow Prince Ali a free run at Blatter.
- AFP