Blatter defies calls to quit as FIFA scandal widens

If he has led FIFA for all these years, and for all these years he (claims he) was unaware of corruption and illegalities to such an extent, then he is clearly a very ineffectual president and absolutely should step down.

true, he can't monitor everyone, but these guys weren't low level staff. these were upper echelon officials who reported to blatter. it is he who turned a blind eye to all the corruption around him. he allowed it to grow and fester. he is a disgrace to the game and must go. why asia and africa supports him is a mystery.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter should step down. This "alleged" corruption has been going on during Blatter's 4 terms as President. If he doesn't consider himself responsible for the actions of those around him, of what use is he? Blatter can quit, or the members can elect Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of Jordan, or the FIFA leadership can go back to taking bribes as usual. Time will tell.

As a soccer lover it pains me to say this, but this the reason so many Americans refuse to support this sport. This is institutional corruption at the highest levels. Whether or not Blatter knew about it is irrelevant. He is the leader. He created the atmosphere and he failed to maintain institutional control, therefore he must fall on his sword.

His comments, making excuses highlight his lack of leadership. I hope all soccer/futbol lovers ban together to force this sackless putz from his throne which will usher in a new era for FIFA.

Didn't FIFA conduct it's own investigation and found some guilty of corruption? Now with this finding of officials being guilty of bribery should Sepp Blatter really keep his job as President or even be allowed to be elected for another term?

Papers in the west are reporting that the 2002 World Cup is also involved in bribery, both in the bid process and some matches that Korea took part. Time to Blatter to step down.

In a way, his refusal to take any responsibility is kinda good....he's making even more of a tit of himself on the world stage!

What a farce of a man. The Asian and African confederations support him - let UEFA and CONMEBOL split from them then. There is no way Blatter would survive if one of these confederations left FIFA

Corruption in FIFA unveiled ? I'm shocked , shocked . Palestinian football chief calls for suspension of Israel charging apartheid , there is attention to the issue . Swiss police arrest several FIFA officials on corruption charges . They face extradition to USA where charges originate and where the word football means something else . ( extrajudicial ? jurisdiction ? ...anyways ) . Now Blatter is in the news , Israel is not . Context .

If the others arrested are rolled over (agree to testify against others in return for lightened sentences), Blatter may not have the freedom to step down, or assume office in the first place. No doubt he is looking at his accounts, and those of his friends, family, and business associates, and wondering if he may end up being charged as well.

Those confederations which support him have gained a lot from him and his bureaucracy, it is said that nearly 30% of the money bid to host tournaments ended up as kickbacks. For anyone who has tried to do business in places like Africa, Mexico, South an Central America, China, or Southeast Asia, you have learned that are not going to get anywhere unless you pay a share to the officials who approve your applications and licenses. What a world we live in.

It would be nice if FIFA, as an act of good, will were to move all of it's accounts to America, where they would be under the jurisdiction of the FBI. Then any officials who accepted or offered bribes throughout the world while employed by FIFA would have to face genuine prosecution and punishment for corruption. Of all the agencies in America, the FBI is the most incorruptible, and the most merciless.

The Asian and African confederations as well as the North American one support him because he awarded each of them more World Cup slots than they really merit. Since they form a numerical majority, he has been unassailable. Let's hope that all changes now. If the Qatar and Russia decisions can be reversed into the bargain, all the better!

Corporate governance - The system of rules, practices and processes by which a company is directed and controlled.

On planet Blatter basic codes of practice, being accountable for the responsibilities that come with the role as President of Fifa, acknowledging the severity of the situation, quit the blame game and honourably resign just doesn't apply. Shameless and shameful.

I am often critical of Japanese executives who seem to resign at the drop of a hat in the name of "taking responsibility"; these guys are often either running away or taking the fall for someone else. In this case, however, I can't make that criticism; "Blatter" and "responsibility" apparently don't belong in the same sentence. One wonders exactly what the president of FIFA does all day - corporate governance is apparently not part of the job description.

Fifa is a NPO (non-profit organization), often or not tax deductible for individuals and/or businesses that contribute. It is required, a key element that these non profit organizations disclose/ensure that financial and operating information be placed in the public domain. This statutory requirement is so that contributors, can through a level of transparency ensure contributions are seen to be used effectively.

Keeping this in mind you would have thought Fifa sponsors, Adidas, Visa, Coca-Cola, McDonalds to name but a few would be beating a path to Fifa-land, questioning the $1.43 billion Fifa hold in reserves?. Blatter justifies this colossal mountain of cash as a 'safety net'.

The Qatar 2022 bid will ensure before a ticket is sold that up to and about 4000 workers would have paid the ultimate price for Blatters bullishness. Remember that when you next pass McDonalds or catch that Coca Cola 'live more like Grandpa' commercial, refreshing better, or bitter take your pick.....

Its the most international event,ok sport event exept boxing, maybe.

You cant do it at plus 40C. Do it another season.

As for infringements.... Plug your own nose. NSA

Did this guy live with his head in the clouds? A complete innocent? Does he now feel no shame at what went on under his watch?

Notice that even Sepp Blatter, head corruption-in-chief, is not denying that there are corrupt people in FIFA.

Only saying that he's not responsible for them.

theeastisredMAY. 29, 2015 - 01:39PM JST The Asian and African confederations as well as the North American one support him because he awarded each of them more World Cup slots than they really merit. Since they form a numerical majority, he has been unassailable. Let's hope that all changes now. If the Qatar and Russia decisions can be reversed into the bargain, all the better!

Who merits the worldcup slots then ? Europe has 14 the largest number of slots. This witch hunt us taking place because England and America lost to Russia and Qatar. When South Africa lost to Germany for the 2006 WC when it was made the WC would be heading to Africa for the last it was hijacked by by Germany through suspicious circumstances nobody cried foul. FIFA for all its faults is one international organisation where we do not have the VETO. All countries big or small have one vote and the Western European countries are not happy because they want to control what they see as their God given right. This is all about controlling the vast resources of FIFA for themselves. The Americans feel offended that their large cooperations are sponsoring FIFA yet FIFA spites America by handing the WC to Don Putin. It is not like FIFA became corrupted recently, FIFA has been corrupted for decades yet nothing has been done Is it not strange the arrest were made 2 days before the reelection of Blatter (when it became evident Blatter would win ) They thought going on with the arrest would scuttle the elections and force Blatter to resign, unfortunately the strong arm tactics to control FIFA born from a feeling of entitlement has backfired leading to the poor countries lending their support to Blatters reelection. Why are Russia and Qatar not deserving to host the World cup ? Is it the divine right of a few selected countries to host it, then it shouldn't be called WC but 'Elite Nations Cup' It would really be sad if FIFA reverts to what it was under that racist Stanley Rous. Blatter is no saint neither are those going after FIFA, I believe all what is happening nowtwo wouldn't have happened if England and the U.S had won their bids, it would have been business as usual. Some people are bitter that 2 influential countries were outbid by two unfanciful nations. How on earth can FIFA bypass the almighty and most powerful nation on planet earth and hand the WC to a small and insiqnificant nation like Qatar.

Don't forget the Swiss has their own investigations in Switzerland.

And don't forget the US filed charges against IOC members regarding the bribery scandal for the Salt Lake Olympics, the US' own Olympics.