Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) released a statement on Wednesday (June 3 PHT) following the announcement of resignation of long time FIFA President Joseph “Sepp” Blatter.
“We are surprised by the decision of FIFA President Joseph Blatter to lay down his mandate during a FIFA Extraordinary Congress in December 2015,” the PFF said in the statement.
Blatter announced that he is vacating his post in a press conference on Wednesday morning (June 3).
Related: Blatter stepping down, says FIFA needs ‘profound overhaul’
This decision comes just four days after winning his fifth consecutive term as president in the 65th FIFA Congress.
The decision for when the election for the next president would be is up to the executive committee, that would take place any time from December until March of next year.
Blatter will continue to hold the position until the next president is elected.
Blatter’s resignation comes after a sweeping investigation by U.S. authorities resulted in the arrest of several high ranking executives of FIFA on May 27 on corruption charges.
“We believe he made a courageous decision in the greater interest of the sport of football,” said the PFF. “We thank him for his spirited efforts for meaningful football development programmes in all FIFA Member Associations.”
After Blatter’s announcement, Domenico Scala, head of FIFA’s independent audit and compliance committee, assured observers that “FIFA is fundamentally committed to change and are determined to address the issues that continue to undermine FIFA and football more broadly.”
“We join all football stakeholders in moving forward. The situation offers a big opportunity to continue and intensify the reforms that have been started,” said the PFF.
