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Sepp Blatter steps down but isn't in the clear. What's next for FIFA?
03-06-2015 16:49
The widely reviled head of international soccer's governing body said Tuesday that he's going to resign, just four days after he was elected president for a fifth term.
London (CNN)If you think big changes are coming to FIFA now that Sepp Blatter says he's stepping down, don't hold your breath.
The widely reviled head of international soccer's governing body said Tuesday that he's going to resign, just four days after he was elected president for a fifth term.
So, what happened between Friday and Tuesday for his change of heart?
Blatter isn't saying.
But FIFA is mired in a massive corruption scandal, with the U.S. Justice Department charging 14 people, including nine FIFA officials, in a 47-count indictment last week. "I'm not able to comment further on Mr. Blatter's status," Attorney General Loretta Lynch told reporters at the time.
On Wednesday, Interpol issued red notices to inform member nations that arrest warrants are out for six of those indicted, including Jack Warner, a former FIFA vice president and executive committee member.
While Blatter wasn't charged by the Justice Department, he isn't in the clear. U.S. officials told CNN on Tuesday that the FBI corruption investigation into FIFA's president continue.
Blatter's not leaving right away
The man who's led FIFA for 17 years said he won't step down until the group's executive committee organizes a new election.
And that's not happening anytime soon.
According to FIFA rules, the earliest a new leader can be elected would be in four months.
"The expectation is that this could take place anytime from December of this year to March of next year," said Domenico Scala, the chairman of FIFA's audit and compliance committee.
That's plenty of time for Blatter to set the agenda for when he's finally replaced.
"Within his brief announcement there are statements that should cause concern," wrote Mark Doidge, a senior research fellow in sociology of sport at the University of Brighton, in a piece published on CNN.com.
In his speech, for example, Blatter said that integrity checks for FIFA executive members must be organized centrally through FIFA.
"By centralizing the checks within FIFA, he is accumulating more power for the organization -- at the expense of the regional confederations," such as UEFA (the European Union Football Association), which has been critical of him, Doidge said.
UEFA President Michel Platini said Wednesday that a meeting planned for UEFA officials this weekend would be postponed, because of "the uncertain and unpredictable nature of the investigations."
He added, "Considering new information is revealed every day, I believe it is wiser to take time to assess the situation, so together we can take a position on this issue."
One FIFA statute says the body may bestow the title of honorary president on any former member. That's what FIFA did with Blatter's predecessor, João Havelange, even though he too was tainted by corruption.
Such a title brings with it a hefty financial package.
The investigation isn't over yet
FIFA is mired in two investigations right now:
The first: A Swiss criminal investigation into the highly controversial 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids, which went to Russia and Qatar, respectively. Authorities have questioned a few people, but no one's been arrested.
Blatter's not being questioned as part of the probe, the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland said last week.
he second: A U.S. investigation that's targeting alleged wrongdoing that spans 24 years. U.S. prosecutors issued arrest warrants for 14 people, on charges ranging from money laundering to fraud and racketeering.
They include FIFA officials who took bribes totaling more than $150 million and in return provided "lucrative media and marketing rights" to soccer tournaments as kickbacks.
When the U.S. Justice Department announced the indictments last week, Blatter's name wasn't on the list.
At the time, Acting U.S. Attorney Kelly Currie said, "Let me be clear: This indictment is not the final chapter in our investigation."
On Monday, The New York Times tied FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke -- Blatter's top lieutenant -- to $10 million in bank transactions that were used as bribes.
Valcke's denied the allegations. But linking him to FIFA's corruption scandal brings the money trail closer to Blatter, the paper said.
And that probably is what's behind Blatter's resignation, said Andrew Zimbalist, an economics professor at Smith College and a leading expert on the business of sports.