- Title: SOCCER-FIFA/BLATTER-PROFILE UPDATE Sepp Blatter - Full Profile
- Date: 2nd June 2015
- Summary: STARA PAZOVA, SERBIA (FILE - MAY 14, 2011) (REUTERS) UEFA PRESIDENT MICHEL PLATINI (RIGHT), SERBIAN DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER IVICA DACIC (CENTRE) AND BLATTER (LEFT) TALKING BLATTER WATCHING BLATTER, DACIC AND PLATINI WALKING BLATTER SHAKING HANDS AND STANDING WITH CHILDREN/BLATTER AND PLATINI SHAKING HANDS WITH CHILDREN BLATTER AND PLATINI TALKING TO CHILDREN CHILDREN WATCHIN
- Embargoed: 17th June 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA577B2IXXP2ZHILHKZ9QBFX1K1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Sepp Blatter resigned as FIFA president on Tuesday, four days after being re-elected to a fifth term.
The 79-year-old, announced the decision at a news conference in Zurich, six days after the FBI had raided a hotel in Zurich and arrested several FIFA officials.
He was re-elected after his only rival, Jordan's Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, withdrew after gaining 73 votes to Blatter's 133 in the first round of voting.
"I have thoroughly considered my presidency and thought about my presidency and the last 40 years of my life," Blatter, speaking in French, told the news conference that had been delayed by 45 minutes.
"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 was convinced it was the best option for football.
"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 to be elected to follow me." - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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