FIFA President Sepp Blatter on Tuesday announced that he would step down from his post following the election of a new leader at an "extraordinary congress" of the organization. He said the congress is to be convened "as rapidly as possible."
The announcement, made at a press conference in Zurich, was a surprise, coming just days after Blatter won re-election to a fifth term amidst allegations that top FIFA officials had engaged in a massive, decades-long bribery ring.
FIFA official Domenico Scala said the extraordinary congress to select Blatter's successor could be held as early as December. He said profound structural reforms, including of the executive committee that is stuffed with Blatter's allies, would also be on the table.
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Just yesterday, The New York Times reported that Blatter's top lieutenant was involved in a $10 million transfer to one of the FIFA officials accused of taking kickbacks, suggesting there was evidence that Blatter's inner circle was involved in the bribery ring as well.
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