Not so fast.
Sepp Blatter told an audience in Zurich on Friday that his reign as the head of FIFA may not be over, according to Swiss newspaper Blick.
"I have not resigned," he said. "I put my mandate in the hands of an extraordinary congress."
Blatter was making his first public comments since he seemingly announced his impending resignation, on June 2, just days after being elected to a fifth term as president of the soccer's governing body amid a crisis that saw a handful of high-ranking FIFA officials indicted in the US on corruption charges. At the time, Blatter said he would “lay down my mandate at an extraordinary elective congress” but would remain president until that time. He also said he would not be a candidate in the election.
On Friday, Blatter fueled the flames of his critics by throwing that into question.
“Only those who know the past can understand the present and shape the future,” he added in his speech at the FIFA museum. “Or in other words: the ball is round – but only those who come from outer space know the actual dimensions of our sport … For me personally, the museum is a labor of love. But do not get me wrong: I’m not ready for the museum nor for a waxwork yet.”
In a statement, FIFA said Blatter’s comments at the museum were in line with his June 2 announcement and that he will “lay down his mandate” as promised. The extraordinary election will be held sometime between December and March 2016.
