Araneta.
The president of the Philippine Football Federation, Mariano ?Nonong? Araneta has batted for the election of ?a strong guy with administrative experience and loved and respected by all in football? to replace Sepp Blatter who has announced his resignation as president of the world governing body for football, FIFA.
In a conversation with the New Standard/Viva Sports, Araneta said ?we need to elect a new president committed to transparency? and indicated that while there are ?a lot of good candidates we need to choose the right person? at a time of crisis.
At the same time Araneta that whatever may have happened in FIFA, Blatter was ?not only good for the smaller nations in Asia and Africa, he has helped them a lot? citing various projects such as the building of football fields and opening training centers that have helped grow the game in Asia and Africa in particular.
In announcing his resignation amidst a swirling scandal of allegations of top FIFA officials being involved in corruption, money laundering and other corrupt practices Blatter who was head of FIFA form 17 years and was re-elected for a fifth term only last week in Zurich, called for an emergency FIFA congress to he held as soon as possible at which his successor will be elected.
Britain?s Sky Sports reported that Prince Ali of Jordan, who unsuccessfully opposed Blatter in last week's original election, has hinted he will run again for the presidency and FA chairman Greg Dyke heralded the day as "brilliant for world football".
Speaking at an unprecedented, emergency press conference following another day of allegations of corruption and bribery within his organisation, Blatter confirmed: "I will organise an extraordinary congress for a replacement for me as president and I will not stand. 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. Therefore, I have decided to lay down my mandate at an extraordinary elective congress. I will continue to exercise my functions as FIFA president until then and I will urge the executive committee to organize that at the earliest opportunity."
Powerful UEFA president Michel Platini who had twice asked Blatter to step down said Blatter made "a difficult decision, a brave decision, and the right decision".
Britain?s Football Association head Greg Dyke said ?it's a 'good day for football.'
Two criminal probes into alleged corruption within FIFA - one by US authorities, the other from the Swiss attorney general's office - remain ongoing following the arrests of 14 current and former FIFA executives in Zurich last week.
However, Sky Sports said the Swiss attorney general has assured Blatter in a statement that "he is not under investigation and his resignation does not affect ongoing criminal proceedings in suspicion of criminal mismanagement and money laundering".
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