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EU says FIFA needs long process to restore trust following Blatter resignation

Xinhua, June 3, 2015 Adjust font size:

The resignation of FIFA president Sepp Blatter represented "one step in a long process that now has to follow to restore trust and establish a solid system of good governance at FIFA," said a senior official of the European Union (EU) on Wednesday.

Tibor Navracsics, the European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, said in a statement that the EU respected sports federations' right to run themselves, but after "so many missed opportunities and the complete loss of trust in FIFA, I believe we should support fundamental change and ensure that solid solutions are put in place."

He expressed the EU's willingness to play a role in this, adding that the EU "will develop the close cooperation we have built with a broad range of sport organizations and member states to strengthen sport's place in society and fight the big threat to its integrity."

"We have built up sound expertise and created a number of tools which we can use to support those who will now push for change," said the commissioner.

Blatter, who was reelected on Friday, announced on Tuesday at an unexpected press conference in Zurich that he will step down at an extraordinary congress to be held in a few months. Endit