News Digest

Disgraced Blatter starts FIFA reform work

Two days after becoming the face of soccer corruption, disgraced FIFA President Sepp Blatter says he’s already started working on ways to clean up the sport’s governing body. Blatter, who announced his decision to resign on Tuesday as the FIFA corruption crisis continues to build and spread around the world, said Thursday that he met with FIFA audit panel chairman Domenico Scala “to establish a framework for action and a timetable” for his final months. He made no mention of his status as a target of the American investigation.

Football has become a football. It’s no longer about a bunch of guys in Switzerland. It’s no longer about Sepp and his mates, but what the world will look like in 10 years time.

Simon Chadwick, professor of sports business strategy at Britain’s Coventry University

Blatter’s statement came after separate investigations into soccer corruption were opened in South Africa and Australia, and after the headquarters of the Venezuelan Football Federation was raided by military intelligence officers. The South African probe revolves around allegations of bribery related to the country’s winning bid for the 2010 World Cup, while Australian authorities are investigating corruption claims surrounding Australia’s failed bid for the 2022 World Cup. FIFA said it wrote off a $5 million loan to Ireland in compensation for missing the 2010 World Cup after Thierry Henry’s controversial handball set up the winning French goal.