I haven’t resigned as FIFA president: Sepp Blatter

Sepp Blatter says despite suggestions to the contrary, he has not resigned as president of FIFA.

On June 2, just four days after winning re-election for a fifth term, Blatter held a press conference to announce he would be stepping down as investigations by the American and Swiss authorities continued to engulf FIFA.

But in an interview with Swiss newspaper Blick on Friday, Blatter sought to clarify his position.

“I have not resigned,” Blatter told the Swiss paper Blick in comments published on Friday.

“Rather, I have made my mandate available at an extraordinary congress.”

In what was portrayed as his resignation speech, Blatter seemed to state explicitly that he would continue on an interim basis in his role but that he would not seek re-election at the next Congress.

Blatter said in June: “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.”

Blick spoke to Blatter at an event to promote a FIFA museum which is due to open in 2016.

And he struck a resilient tone again when addressing the audience in attendance.

“For me personally, this museum is a labour of love,” Blatter said. “But do not get me wrong – I am not going into the museum or to the waxworks yet.”