Fifa corruption: EU calls for Sepp Blatter to stand down immediately as Swiss police raid his Zurich offices
Blatter is due to remain in power at Fifa until a new president is elected which could be delayed as far as March 2016
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The European Parliament has urged Sepp Blatter to step down immediately as the president of Fifa, rather than wait until December for a replacement to be elected.
Elected representatives of the EU were asked for a show of hands during a session at the parliament in Strasbourg, France, after a cross-party motion was issued saying that “urgent reform cannot begin in earnest until a new leadership is appointed”.
Members voted overwhelmingly in favour of the motion on Thursday morning, which came after Swiss investigators seized further documents and computer equipment from Fifa’s offices in Zurich.
The Swiss authorities, who are investigating the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, were handed information from the offices of Fifa secretary general Jérôme Valcke, head of finance Markus Kattner and Mr Blatter himself.
Mr Valcke, speaking at a news conference in Russia hosted by organisers of the 2018 tournament, defended his role in an alleged $10 million bribery scandal linked to the 2010 World Cup.
“I will answer all the questions. I have nothing to hide,” Valcke said.
Meanwhile, the Brazil legend Zico officially announced that he wanted to run for the presidency of Fifa after Mr Blatter stands down – despite admitting that the odds were stacked against him.
Speaking at a news conference in Rio de Janeiro, he said: “I feel capable of this, there’s a possibility now for change.
“Of course, changes in the rules of the game would be necessary. Mainly because, with the rules in place now, there isn't the slightest possibility (of being elected).”
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