FIFA President Resigns Amid Corruption Scandal

FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, who has led the world soccer’s governing body for 17 years, said Tuesday that he would resign his position. He made his announcement in Zurich as law enforcement officials in the United States confirmed that he was a focus of a federal corruption investigation.

In announcing that he would resign from his post as FIFA president amid a federal corruption investigation, Sepp Blatter said, “I cherish FIFA more than anything.”

 Mr. Sepp Blatter, resigned his position at a news conference in Zurich on Tuesday in the wake of an international corruption inquiry.

Possible candidates

Jordan's Prince Ali bin al-Hussein: The 39-year-old son of the late King Hussein of Jordan has been a FIFA vice president since 2011, representing Asia. He is the president of the West Asia Football federation. In the first ballot in the recent FIFA presidential election, he only received 73 votes, and most of those likely came from European associations, after his candidacy was put forth by England.

Michel Platini: The former French great was once an ally of Blatter, but in recent years had opposed the president on many issues. Platini, who turns 60 this month, has been the head of UEFA since 2007 and is a FIFA vice president. He was one of the all-time best players, having three times won European player of the year. Just a few years ago he appeared to be Blatter's successor -- until the president announced he would run again.

Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad al-Sabah: The 51-year-old member of the Kuwaiti royal family is a member of the FIFA executive committee and a prominent figure in the Olympic movement. He is president of the Association of National Olympic Committees, which oversees the hundreds of national Olympic committees. Al-Sabah has been a member of the International Olympic Committee since 1992. He is a Blatter supporter, and if he ran, could draw votes from other backers of the outgoing president.

Michael van Praag: A key figure at UEFA and a member of the federation's executive committee. He runs the national association of the Netherlands and was a candidate earlier this year for FIFA president. He withdrew a week before the election and supported al-Hussein. Van Praag, 67, reportedly is a supporter of a two-term limit for the office.

Issa Hayatou: He has been on the FIFA executive committee for 25 years and is the organization's senior vice president. The former top official for Cameroonian soccer, he has been the president of Africa's confederation since 1988. The 68-year-old has twice been publicly accused of taking bribes in connection with soccer events, according to media reports. He denied the allegations and was never charged. He ran for FIFA president in 2002 but lost by a large margin. Sports analysts in the continent believe that the lack of growth of the game in the continent is due to his corrupt practices.

Jerome Champagne: Another recent candidate for the office. He dropped out of the race in February when he couldn't get the support of the five national associations necessary to be on the ballot. The former diplomat was one of Blatter's chief advisers from 1999 to 2010 when he was director of international relations for FIFA. During his time there, Champagne worked closely with Blatter, tasked with overseeing improvements in relations with national associations and other international sporting bodies including the International Olympic Committee. He was let go for reasons never fully explained.

David Ginola: His prior candidacy was considered a publicity stunt, one which lasted just weeks -- by much of the media and soccer public. The Frenchman's bid was backed by Irish bookmaker Paddy Power, who has a self-confessed penchant for mischief, and Ginola reportedly was being paid £250,000 ($375,000) for his involvement. Several outlets, including the BBC, reported Tuesday night he would run again in the special election. The former player, 48, was voted player of the year in his home country's league and in England's Premier League.