Zambia's soccer chief rues Blatter's resignation

Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) president Kalusha Bwalya has described the resignation of FIFA president Sepp Blatter as a sad day for football, the Times of Zambia reported on Thursday.

Blatter, who has been at the helm of the world soccer governing body for 17 years, announced his resignation on Tuesday, barely a few days after winning a fifth term in office.

Bwalya said the quitting of the Swiss man was a sad development for global football.

"FIFA president Sepp Batter announces that he will resign. Sad day for football," the former Zambian soccer star was quoted as saying by the paper.

The 1988 African footballer of the year pledged his continued support to the Swiss, adding that the 79-year-old Blatter had brought a lot of change for the betterment of football in the world.

"The man has given more than 40 years to world football. I have respect for that. Thank you, he brought so much change for the better of the game. You have to respect that," Bwalya added.

The Zambian soccer chief, who is also an executive member for the Confederation of African Football (CAF), refuted allegations that he himself and other global football administrators reap financial rewards from FIFA, adding that the governments spend more on football each year than what FIFA contributes. Endi