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Fifa corruption scandal: global reaction to Blatter's shock resignation
A round-up of responses to the Fifa President's decision to quit
The resignation of Fifa president Sepp Blatter took the world by surprise, but his abdication after 17 years in charge of world football in the face of an FBI corruption probe has been largely welcomed by sponsors, administrators, players and fans.
Greg Dyke, chairman of the FA and staunch Blatter critic: "This is great news for football. It should have happened years ago... If I was in Qatar today I wouldn't be feeling very confident."
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Michel Platini, president of Uefa, once an ally of Blatter and now tipped to replace him. "It was a difficult decision, a brave decision, and the right decision."
Henry Winter, Daily Telegraph chief football correspondent: "It was one of the most beautiful sights in football, the image of Blatter shuffling towards the exit, a security man holding open the door, obligingly on his side – for now. Auf Wiedersehen Sepp."
Luis Figo, former Portuguese footballer who called Blatter a "dictator" after he pulled out of last week's election:"A good day for Fifa and for football... Change is finally coming. Now we should, responsibly and calmly, find a consensual solution worldwide in order to start new era of dynamism, transparency and democracy in Fifa."
Visa, lead World Cup sponsor which had been most vocal in calling for reform. "Extensive and fundamental reform is needed as reflected by the announcement that President Blatter is resigning... We repeat, however, that it is our expectation that Fifa will take swift and immediate steps towards addressing the issues within its organisation."
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Adidas, another Fifa World Cup sponsor: "Today’s news marks a step in the right direction."
Gary Lineker feigned surprise on Twitter:
The Times, whose sister paper the Sunday Times helped expose corruption in 2010, wrote: "By the time he quit after an inglorious 17-year stint as president, Mr Blatter had turned Fifa into a fiefdom in his own image that serves mainly as a facilitator and beneficiary of the colossal cash flows generated by the world’s most popular sport."
Metro, Daily Express and Daily Star headline writers: "Blatt's all folks."
Kozo Tashima, Fifa Executive Committee member, who voted for Blatter's opponent in the election. ''He says he won't step down until the next president is elected. If there is no specific reason (for his resignation) there is no need for him to step down. I think there is an obligation to explain this.''
Simon Johnson, leader of England's failed bid to stage the 2018 World Cup."There will continue to be these questions over the bidding process. Let's see if the new leadership or interim leadership do anything to resolve that."
Vincent Kompany, the Manchester City captain:
Andrew Jennings, who made a film for the BBC in 2006 called 'The Beautiful Bung: Corruption and the World Cup'. "I know that they are criminal scum and I've known it for years. And that is a thoughtful summation. That is not an insult. That is not throwing about wild words."
David Gill, FA vice-chairman who had said he would resign from his position on the Fifa Executive Committe if Blatter stayed: "I respect his decision but am pleased he is standing aside and by the clear determination for real change within Fifa. This in turn allows me to reconsider my position."
Nicolas Maduro, president of Venezuela put forward a name for Blatter's successor: "The president of the international football federation should be Diego Armando Maradona or someone like him."
John Oliver, the British host of late night US show Last Week Tonight, kept it simple:
