MEPs want Blatter to resign as Fifa president ‘immediately’

The European Parliament has called on the outgoing head of Fifa Sepp Blatter to resign with immediate effect, arguing that the international football federation should appoint an interim president.

In a resolution passed today in Strasbourg, the European Parliament condemned the recent revelations of corruptions at the organisation, which have “seriously damaged the credibility and the integrity of global football.”

The EU's legislative arm also questioned the validity of the 2018 and 2022 World cup decisions, arguing that the decision to appoint Russia and Qatar as host nations would be "invalid" should corruption at the organisation be proven.

The Parliament said it welcomed the statement by the head of Fifa's Audit and Compliance Committee that the award of the World Cup for 2018 and 2022 could be invalidated if evidence emerges that the awards came about as a result of corrupt activities.

Today’s vote follows a debate on Wednesday evening in Strasbourg on the Fifa corruption scandal.

Addressing the Parliament during the debate, Irish MEP Liadh Ni Riada specifically referenced the disclosure of a €5 million payment to the FAI by Fifa.

"The arrest of Fifa officials for corruption should be welcomed and should come as no surprise. The organisation is notoriously corrupt. In my own state, the Football Association of Ireland has released evidence that it accepted a €5 million payment from Fifa in exchange for ending protests about Ireland failing to qualify for the 2010 World Cup."

The Sinn Féin MEP also criticised Fifa for “turning a blind eye” to the human rights abuses of migrant construction workers in Qatar and called on Fifa to re-run the vote for the 2022 World Cup.

“It is said that 1993 migrant workers have already lost their lives, and more than 4000 will have died by the time the competition kicks off. Most are young men who die from heart attacks from working without protection in extreme heat... This is the tragic human cost of corruption in Fifa - modern day slavery.”

Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly, a former president of the GAA said that the corruption allegations had been a "betrayal of the beautiful game."

“If there was a world cup for corruption, Fifa would win it hands down. Certainly if we are to believe the allegations of 150 million bribes, which probably may only turn out to be the tip of the iceberg, there is a serious problem with Fifa which thankfully now is being investigated.”

Citing the example of the GAA which has a term-limit for presidents, Mr Kelly told the Parliament that a “vital first step” was the introduction of fixed term contracts at Fifa.

“If there was a limit of three years or five years .. corruption if it occurs couldn’t be embedded, and what we have seen would have been averted.”

Earlier this week, Mr Kelly called on the FAI to repay €5 million it controversially accepted from Fifa following Thierry Henry's controversial handball in the World Cup play-off with France in November 2009.

Speaking in Strasbourg, Mr Kelly said the FAI should repay the money received by Fifa and instead request a grant to contribute to the financing of the Aviva stadium.

“The FAI should hand back the money because, maybe unwittingly, they have be tarnished with Seth Blatter’s bribery brush,” the Fine Gael MEP said.

“When proper governance has been established in Fifa, and a new president is elections, the FAI should apply for a grant. They do deserve support for the stadium.”

MEPS also questioned the decision to hold this year's European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan, in light of the country's human rights record.