Sepp Blatter to discover when his final day as Fifa president will be as Extraordinary Congress due between December and February

Fifa's Executive Committee will decide the date for the Extraordinary Congress on 20 July

Jack de Menezes
Friday 12 June 2015 01:55 EDT
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Blatter could not resist sniping at familiar enemies after his victory
Blatter could not resist sniping at familiar enemies after his victory (AFP/Getty Images)

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Fifa's executive committee will meet on 20 July to set an exact date for the Extraordinary Congress Meeting that will see a new president elected and end Sepp Blatter's reign over world football for good.

Blatter announced as part of his resignation that he will remain in charge until an “Extraordinary Congress” can be called to bring all 209 Member Associates together again, just as was the case in Zurich last month when the 79-year-old Swiss won a fifth term as Fifa president.

However, Fifa have confirmed today that the Extraordinary Congress will occur between December and February, with an exact date to be decided a week on Saturday.

Blatter will remain in charge until a new president is elected, meaning he could yet serve another eight months at the top of the world governing body.

Sepp Blatter walks out of the Fifa press room after resigning
Sepp Blatter walks out of the Fifa press room after resigning (Getty Images)

The news comes hours after Fifa’s director of communications and public affairs Walter De Gregorio left Fifa having stepped down from his role on Thursday. However, it was later reported that De Gregorio was “forced to resign” after making a joke relating to himself, Blatter and Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke live on Swiss TV.

A video emerged of De Gregorio on the Roger Schawinksi show where he made a joke referencing the current FBI investigation into alleged corruption among Fifa.

De Gregorio said: “The Fifa president Sepp Blatter, the director of communications and the general secretary are all sitting in a car – who is driving?”

Schawinski replied: “The answer is?” De Gregorio responded: “The police.”

Walter De Gregorio has left Fifa with immediate effect
Walter De Gregorio has left Fifa with immediate effect (Getty Images)

An earlier statement regarding De Gregorio’s exit said: "Walter De Gregorio has decided to relinquish his office with immediate effect as director of communications & public affairs,” read the statement.

"Mr De Gregorio joined Fifa on September 14, 2011 and will serve Fifa on a consultancy basis until the end of this year.

"His deputy Nicolas Maingot will resume the role ad interim."

Valcke and Blatter
Valcke and Blatter (EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA)

Valcke, who is believed to be very unhappy with De Gregorio’s exit, said: "Walter has worked incredibly hard for the past four years and we are immensely grateful for all he has done," he said.

"I am glad we will be able to continue to draw on his expertise until the end of the year."

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