Sepp Blatter Says He Hasn’t Resigned as FIFA President

Sepp Blatter says that he has not resigned as the FIFA President.

Sepp Blatter after being re-elected as President of FIFA amid corruption scandal. (Photo: AP)

Sepp Blatter has told Blick, a Swiss newspaper, that he has not quit as FIFA President.

That has led to, not entirely unfounded, speculation that he may try and hold on to his beloved seat as the head of FIFA, international football’s governing body, which in recent times has been gripped by a massive corruption scandal.

I have not resigned, rather I am offering my mandate at an extraordinary congress.
– Sepp Blatter according to Blick, a Swiss newspaper

Blatter had declared in a news conference on June 2nd that he would step down as President of FIFA in light of the recent corruption scandal. Blick said Blatter made the recent statement in his first public appearance since then.

We can confirm the quotes in Blick are accurate. They are in line with the speech of the President on 2 June 2015.
– FIFA spokesperson via email to Blick

At the June 2nd conference, Blatter had said, “I have decided to lay down my mandate at an extraordinary elective Congress. I will continue to exercise my functions as FIFA president until that election.”

His statement to Blick seemed less certain than his earlier announcement.

Klaus Stoehlker, Blatter’s former advisor during the FIFA election, had said earlier that the veteran FIFA President was highly likely to go back on his promise of stepping down from his role at the helm of affairs.

The official overseeing the choice of a new president, Domenico Scala, said that Blatter’s departure was an “indispensable” part of planned reforms to football’s governing body.

Blick reported that Blatter had spoken at an event for workers building the planned FIFA museum in Zurich.

Blatter’s re-election to a fifth term on Friday was widely criticised by fans across the world. Seen here, spectators hold signs reading “Out Blatter” at  the French Open. (Photo: AP)