Blatter´s exit must be explained, FIFPro demand

After Sepp Blatter’s surprise decision to announce his resignation has FIFA president on Tuesday, FIFPro has called for all documents relating to the Swiss’ departure to be disclosed.

Blatter unexpectedly announced his intention to quit just four days after he was re-elected for a fifth term as president.

Part of Blatter’s winning speech promised to “fix” FIFA and guide the organisation through the corruption scandal currently engulfing the governing body, and FIFPro believe full disclosure is needed to help the process of change happen.

In a statement they said: “FIFPro today calls on FIFA to publicly disclose all relevant documents pertaining to the events and decisions surrounding Sepp Blatter’s resignation as FIFA President.

“At the conclusion of a two-day meeting of the FIFPro board, FIFPro demands full accountability to the players and all other stakeholders, including the fans, who have been made to suffer by the crisis of confidence enveloping FIFA as football’s global governing body.

“Such accountability is essential if the reform process is to be properly informed and ultimately successful.

“Accordingly, FIFPro has today committed to the development of a new governance model, which will be critical to usher in a new era of transparency and performance.

And while the world focusses on who could succeed Blatter after 17 years at the top, FIFPro believe there is more at stake.

They added: “The election of a new FIFA President is not the most pressing issue up for debate in the coming months. 

“Urgent attention is needed to address a deeply-flawed governance structure which has permeated itself on international, regional and national levels. Football is now a breeding ground for corruptible and abusive behaviour.

“FIFPro believes that now is the time to reclaim the essence of football as the beautiful game through inclusive, transparent, responsive, democratic, accountable and healthy football governance.”