Sepp Blatter’s resignation as FIFA president struck like a bomb in the world of football. From many quarters welcomed his decision to resign.
Michel Platini, Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) president was very critical of Sepp Blatter stood up to a fifth term of office as FIFA president, saying among other things that he was “disgusted”. On Tuesday, he praised Blatter’s decision.
“It was a difficult decision to take. A brave decision and the right decision,” he said in a statement.
The English Football Association (FA ) has been a fierce critic of Blatter for a long time. FA’s chairman, Greg Dyke said that his resignation is excellent for football.
– A lovely afternoon! This is brilliant for world football. This is the start of something new, said Dyke told the BBC.
– Full Fifa needs to be reconstructed. The entire organization needs to be reviewed economically. The future must move towards transparency.
Dyke emphasized that Blatter accomplished good things, like giving Africa the World Cup for the first time in 2010, but that “everything has been under a cloud of corruption and today it has reached an end “.
The Swedish Football Association (SvFF) Secretary General Håkan Sjöstrand TT:
– It’s probably one of the largest and most important victories of football. We were one of those early took a stand when we went out and supported Michael van Praags candidacy. Since we have been open and honest about where we stand, that football needs new leadership. We have been clear all along.
– The first step now is to find out the facts: What is behind this turnaround? Football is of course the most popular movement in the world, there is a great responsibility.
UEFA have a meeting in Berlin on Saturday in connection with the Champions League final.
– Where would we have discussed the choice that was, but now it’s a different issue, said Lakeshore.
Michael van Praag, challenger to Blatter pulled out just before the election, on Twitter:
– I wanted change in FIFA and maybe this is a big step in the right direction. Let us really achieve it.
Luis Figo, challengers who also dropped out just before the election:
– I am available to all national federations who want change and for all those who have been for fear change.
The International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach:
– We respect President Blatter’s decision and that he initiate the necessary reforms. And to pave the way for new leaders to push through its changes.
Manchester City’s Belgian defender Vincent Kompany on Twitter:
– Blatter was not solely responsible, more must follow. Transparency and voting reform, then we are moving forward and taking back the ethics.
British sports minister John Whittingdale:
– We welcome his late decision, but it is only the beginning of the process of change we must see from Fifa.
By the Brazilian great player Romario, now a politician:
– His case will drag like a tsunami against all corrupt leaders in the continent affiliates worldwide. We need to get the most corrupt in jail, and we need the support of big idols, major sports and football lovers.
Susanne Erlandsson, member of the FIFA Female Committee and vice-chairman of UEFA’s Female Committee, to Radiosporten:
– I must say I was quite surprised because the Congress was as recently as last Friday. I believe that these events crept closer to him.
Lilie Persson, assistant coach of women’s team, told TT:
– Finally. I think that what he has done is all that sport is not to be associated with. Corruption, bribery, fiddling. It is too stale, it is out of fashion. That should not sport stand for, and not football, either.
– It might mean something to the female football, but right now they have the full up. Now the hell do they correct everything. What do we stand for, what we want to be associated with? When one says “Fifa” what will people think then?
Russia’s Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko:
– An unexpected decision of the football family, but it’s his decision, a courageous decision, with love to Fifa. It was taken under the pressure before the Congress. Changes under such pressure would not have led to anything.
– The decision helps to prevent fragmentation in the football world, unite football and implementing reforms.
Sunil Yellow, chairman of America’s football associations
– The announcement brings an exceptional and immediate opportunity for positive change within Fifa. I want to commend him for taking a decision that sets FIFA and the sport we love above all other interests.
More comments:
Lena Rönnefors, tournament director, the Gothia Cup
– Oh, yes, it was surprising that it came just now, but still quite expected. Now we hope for a rejuvenation within FIFA and that it can develop in a positive direction. It would have been really cool and good, with a female president but it will unfortunately take a long time. Football is so extremely conservative, it can see right here in Sweden too. In the long term there must be more women in leading positions.
Martin Kurzwelly, club director IFK Gothenburg
– It was a wise and expected decision. Apparently there has been a corruption in Fifa culture and it was impossible to Blatter to remain. Now you need to make a new start in the organization. I believe in a future where there are good forces that control FIFA. It is important for the global football. We need to feel a connectedness in the football family, and have a maximum agencies all have confidence.
Ralf Edström, nypensionerad pundit
– This was absolutely necessary, I hope they continue to investigate, then I am convinced that Blatter will get behind bars. Blatter should never have been elected in 1998, there were many envelopes slipped under the doors of the hotel already. I think that FIFA can be something good in the future but it is much to be cleaned up, it will not go in a jiffy.
Thomas Wernerson, pundit, SVT
– It was a little unexpected, but I guess that Blatter received information that there is evidence against him in this mess. And that he then chooses to step before it explodes. This was a big step for FIFA, but for the future I think you should find a leader who has no connections at all to football, but can come in with a white sheet. I have no name, but maybe a good business person or the law.
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