'A good day for Fifa and football': Reactions to Blatter's resignation
Sepp Blatter's announcement that he will step down as the chief of Fifa has had many in the football fraternity cheering.
Former Manchester United player Phil Neville sent a simple tweet celebrating the 79-year-old Swiss' announcement to step down.
Former England striker Gary Lineker was a tad more sarcastic.
Portuguese legend and one time candidate for the Fifa presidency Luis Figo has also celebrated the announcement, calling it a good day for Fifa and football.
Major sponsors have also publicly welcomed the announcement.
Coca-Cola Co.: “The announcement today is a positive step for the good of sport, football and its fans ... and will help FIFA transform itself rapidly into a much-needed 21st century structure and institution,”
Adidas: “Today’s news marks a step in the right direction on FIFA’s path to establish and follow transparent compliance standards in everything they do,”
Comedian John Oliver offered this tweet:
Oliver, he host of US comedy news show Last Week Tonight has been a vocal critic of Sepp Blatter.
In one episode, he implored Blatter to step down from his position, promising that he would drink Bud Light Lime, a drink he described as tasting like a puddle lying under a dumpster.
Greg Dyke, chairman of England's Football Association has welcomed the announcement.
In the statement, Dykes said Blatter's announcement is the "necessary first step" in reforming football's governing body.
Blatter's announcement is the latest episode in an ongoing corruption scandal blowing up in Fifa.
On the eve of the association's presidential elections in May, top executives from Fifa were arrested in Zurich and extradited to the United States on corruption charges.
As the allegations of corruption swirled, Blatter was reelected as the president of Fifa on May 29 after his challenger, Jordanian Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, bowed out in the second round of voting.
Then on Tuesday (June 3), Blatter's deputy, Jerome Valcke, was linked to a US$10 million (S$13.4 million) payment made to former Fifa vice-president Jack Warner in return for support for South Africa's 2010 World Cup Finals bid.
The story is still developing.
Source: Twitter, Facebook, The Telegraph
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