Fifa communications head Walter De Gregorio resigns after police joke

Walter De Gregorio has left his post as Fifa's head of communications days after making a joke on television about the world governing body, despite having defended it and been its most prominent public face throughout the recent crisis which led the president, Sepp Blatter, to announce his resignation although he currently remains at the helm.

Appearing on Swiss TV on Monday De Gregorio said: "The Fifa president, secretary general and communications director are in a car. Who's driving? The police."

A statement from Fifa said De Gregorio had decided to step down with immediate effect. It marks the latest twist in the crisis engulfing Fifa, which began two and a half weeks ago when the FBI and Swiss authorities arrested numerous officials following a dawn raid in Zurich amid allegations of endemic corruption.

Fifa confirmed yesterday that the extraordinary executive committee meeting to decide the date for the presidential election will take place on July 20th in Zurich, with a statement saying the extraordinary elective congress will be held between December and February.

De Gregorio was present at Blatter’s resignation speech before a sparse media contingent. The Swiss has been one of Blatter’s most senior aides since joining Fifa in September 2011, and strongly defended it after the arrests.

Only hours after US and Swiss officials raided the Baur au Lac hotel in Zurich, De Gregorio attempted to quell the growing storm by describing the incident as good for Fifa.

He said: “This for Fifa is good. It is not good in terms of image or reputation but in terms of cleaning up, this is good.” – Guardian service