Sepp Blatter's resignation full speech

 Full text of Sepp Blatter speech on 2 June announcing
he is to resign as Fifa president after 17 years.
"I have been reflecting deeply about my presidency and
about the 40 years in which my life has been inextricably
bound to Fifa and the great sport of football.
"I cherish Fifa more than anything and I want to do only
what is best for Fifa and for football. I felt compelled to
stand for re-election, as I believed that this was the best
thing for the organisation. That election is over but Fifa's
challenges are not. Fifa needs a profound overhaul.
"While I have a mandate from the membership of Fifa, I do
not feel that I have a mandate from the entire world of
football - the fans, the players, the clubs, the people who
live, breathe and love football as much as we all do at Fifa."
'Lay down my mandate'
"Therefore, 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.
"The next ordinary Fifa congress will take place on 13 May
2016 in Mexico City. This would create unnecessary delay
and I will urge the executive committee to organise an
extraordinary congress for the election of my successor at
the earliest opportunity.
"This will need to be done in line with Fifa's statutes and we
must allow enough time for the best candidates to present
themselves and to campaign.
"Since I shall not be a candidate, and am therefore now free
from the constraints that elections inevitably impose, I shall
be able to focus on driving far-reaching, fundamental
reforms that transcend our previous efforts.
"For years, we have worked hard to put in place
administrative reforms, but it is plain to me that while these
must continue, they are not enough."
'Deep-rooted structural change'
"The executive committee includes representatives of
confederations over whom we have no control, but for
whose actions Fifa is held responsible. We need deep-rooted
structural change.
"The size of the executive committee must be reduced and
its members should be elected through the Fifa congress.
The integrity checks for all executive committee members
must be organised centrally through Fifa and not through
the confederations.
"We need term limits not only for the president but for all
members of the executive committee.
"I have fought for these changes before and, as everyone
knows, my efforts have been blocked. This time, I will
succeed."
'Major reforms'
"I cannot do this alone. I have asked Domenico Scala to
oversee the introduction and implementation of these and
other measures.
"Mr Scala is the independent chairman of our audit and
compliance committee elected by the Fifa congress. He is
also the chairman of the ad hoc electoral committee and, as
such, he will oversee the election of my successor.
"Mr Scala enjoys the confidence of a wide range of
constituents within and outside of Fifa and has all the
knowledge and experience necessary to help tackle these
major reforms.
"It is my deep care for Fifa and its interests, which I hold
very dear, that has led me to take this decision. I would like
to thank those who have always supported me in a
constructive and loyal manner as president of Fifa and who
have done so much for the game that we all love.
"What matters to me more than anything is that when all of
this is over, football is the winner."

Sepp Blatter under investigation in the US

 Fifa president Sepp Blatter is being investigated by US
officials as part of their inquiry into corruption at the
world football body, US media say.
The news came hours after Mr Blatter, 79, announced that
he was stepping down from his role.
US prosecutors launched a criminal inquiry last week, with
seven Fifa officials arrested in Switzerland, part of a group of
14 people indicted.
Two days after the arrests, Mr Blatter was re-elected
president of Fifa.
However, he said on Tuesday that it appeared the mandate
he had been given "does not seem to be supported by
everyone in the world".
Mr Blatter said: "Fifa needs profound restructuring." He said
he would continue in post until an extraordinary congress is
called to elect a new president.
No dates have been set, but it is expected to take place
between December 2015 and March 2016.
'Bribes and kickbacks'