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Kenya disappointed by Blatter's decision to resign

Xinhua, June 3, 2015 Adjust font size:

Kenya football authorities on Wednesday expressed disbelieve and shock over the resignation of FIFA President Sepp Blatter.

Sam Nyamweya, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president, said they are disappointed with the decision by Blatter to announce his intention to step down, just four days after he was mandated by FIFA congress to serve a fifth term in charge of the Zurich-based body.

"We are not happy. It is a disappointment to see that a person we had hope in, has been shoved aside by other forces outside the sport, for their own selfish interest," said Nyamweya.

"I hope we will elect a new president who will have the interest of football and Africa at heart," said the president.

Blater was re-elected last week, despite seven top FIFA officials being arrested in a massive corruption probe led by the America's Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and the Swiss government.

Announcing his shock exit late on Tuesday, the 79-year-old Blatter, who has been in power for 17 years, said his "mandate does not appear to be supported by everybody," and plans to carry on his duties until a replacement can be elected.

"While I have a mandate from the membership of FIFA, I do not feel that I have a mandate from the entire world of football -- the fans, the players, the clubs, the people who live, breathe and love football as much as we all do at FIFA."

FIFA officials are facing criminal investigation by Swiss authorities into how the 2018 (Russia) and 2022 (Qatar) World Cups were allocated.

In a statement, Issa Hayatou, the President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), said they had full support of Blatter.

"What made us to support Blatter is that he has truly helped the African continent. By allocating this 2010 World Cup, by the various training courses he organised, by the various sporting facilities constructed. All of this rallied the continent to support his cause," he said.

Hayatou noted that the money FIFA gives to national associations is the same for every association, including the very rich like Germany.

"I am president of the FIFA finance committee, as well as of the development committee. It is at the level of my committee that it all happens. The sharing is equitable. All federations across the world, big or small, have the same amount," he added. Enditem