Twitter reacts to Sepp Blatter's shocking resignation as FIFA president
Sepp Blatter stunned the football world Tuesday when he announced plans to step down as FIFA president just days after being re-elected for a fifth term.
The Swiss international's shocking revelation coincides with new evidence that detailed a $10-million payment to former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner from the South African Football Association that was addressed to FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke, according to William K. Rashbaum and Matt Apuzzo of the New York Times.
During his announcement, Blatter proposed an extraordinary FIFA Congress to elect a new president. The 79-year-old will remain in power until then, with the Congress expected to take place between December 2015 and March 2016.
Prince Ali bin Hussein, the only other candidate during Friday's election, has already put his name into the hat of successors, according to the Agence France-Presse.
Here's how the football world reacted to the bombshell in the moments after Blatter's statement:
Blatter has resigned. Wow. Wow. Wow.
— Gabriele Marcotti (@Marcotti) June 2, 2015
Why now Sepp?
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) June 2, 2015
Change is finally coming. Let’s find a solution to start a new era of transparency and democracy in FIFA. http://t.co/XXYt1NfooH
— Luís Figo (@LuisFigo) June 2, 2015
Blatter wasn't sole responsible, more have to follow. Transparency and voting reform, then we move on and bring back ethics. #FIFA
— Vincent Kompany (@VincentKompany) June 2, 2015
Champagne.... pic.twitter.com/1S8shEcN6E
— John Oliver (@iamjohnoliver) June 2, 2015
Thank goodness ! At last FIFA and Blatter get the message. A great day for football.
— Ian Darke (@IanDarke) June 2, 2015
Next Fifa election to replace Blatter takes place between December & March ... seems like a long wait. He's been there 17 years already
— Sam Wallace (@SamWallaceIndy) June 2, 2015
On Saturday I asked Blatter if he was incompetent or intentionally negligent. He clearly decided today he's no longer competent for the job
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) June 2, 2015
Blatter to Swiss TV on Friday: "Why would I step down? That would mean I recognise that I did wrong."
— Ben Rumsby (@ben_rumsby) June 2, 2015
For the displaced in Brazil, the dead migrant workers in Qatar, and the Palestinian soccer stars in chains, GOOD RIDDANCE Sepp Blatter!
— Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports) June 2, 2015
Now FIFA, let's have a chat about the next two World Cups ...
— DAVID JONES (@DavidJonesSky) June 2, 2015
Qatar2022? I wouldn't make my travel plans just yet.
— Brian Sciaretta (@BrianSciaretta) June 2, 2015
With Blatter gone, heat is on #Qatar2022. He promised to protect the bid in exchange for Mohamed Bin Hammam's withdrawal from 2011 election.
— Heidi Blake (@HeidilBlake) June 2, 2015
Black smoke rises from the back of FIFA HQ indicating the ceremonial burning of the documents pic.twitter.com/RsWNNQrpxA
— Danny smith... (@doglab) June 2, 2015
Great day for world soccer. But can FIFA be trusted to vote in a legitimate reformer to replace Blatter? The structure itself is rotten.
— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) June 2, 2015
Any chance of the Garcia Report being released in full now, please #fifa?
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) June 2, 2015
"Have a nice day": parting words from #Fifa PR at end of conference during which Blatter resigned. Football certainly having a nice day now.
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) June 2, 2015
I just finished writing 1,600 words that no one will ever read explaining why Sepp Blatter will never resign.
— Mark MacKinnon (@markmackinnon) June 2, 2015
Blatter to concentrate on worldwide handshaking tour.
— Jacob Steinberg (@JacobSteinberg) June 2, 2015
Hope someone gives Sepp a handshake for peace on the way out... #BlatterGone
— James Masters (@Masters_JamesD) June 2, 2015
I want Sepp Blatter to re-emerge as a new presidential candidate wearing a moustache.
— Mike Martignago (@MikeMartignago) June 2, 2015
With Blatter's resignation I'd like to congratulate @NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on his ascension to World's Worst Sports Executive.
— Keith Olbermann (@KeithOlbermann) June 2, 2015
Jack Warner is scanning The Onion for confirmation of this Sepp Blatter news.
— Don Van Natta Jr. (@DVNJr) June 2, 2015