FIFA’s top spokesman quits
Print Edition
FIFA’S director of communications Walter de Gregorio is to relinquish office with immediate effect, leaving what had become the increasingly thankless job of defending soccer’s scandal-plagued governing body.
FIFA said the Swiss-Italian would, however, continue to serve on a consultancy basis until the end of the year.
The announcement came two days after De Gregorio appeared on a Swiss television chat show hosted by Roger Schawinski and told a self-deprecating joke about FIFA. Right at the end of the program, Schawinski asked De Gregorio to tell his favorite joke. De Gregorio said: “The FIFA president, secretary general and media director are sitting in a car.”
“Who’s driving.”
“The police.”
De Gregorio had faced the media alone two weeks ago on the day when seven soccer officials, wanted by United States prosecutors on corruption charges, were arrested by Swiss police in the dawn raid on the luxury hotel where FIFA accommodate visiting guests.
On that occasion, De Gregorio turned the situation on its head, saying it was part of a clean-up process FIFA themselves had initiated and that FIFA “welcomed” the police action.
He also introduced the news conference on June 2 where FIFA President Sepp Blatter announced that he would step down and call a new election.
De Gregorio was visibly upset and appeared close to tears as Blatter made his speech.
“Walter has worked incredibly hard for the past four years and we are immensely grateful for all he has done. I am glad we will be able to continue to draw on his expertise until the end of the year,” said FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke said.
Earlier, former Brazil star Zico said wants to run for the FIFA presidency even though he believes the odds are stacked against him being elected. The 62-year-old former playmaker said that “there’s a possibility now for change.”
“I would like to confirm this decision about the possibility of being a candidate in the next FIFA election,” Zico said in Rio de Janeiro.
“I feel capable of this.”
But he added: “Of course, changes in the rules of the game would be necessary. Mainly because, with the rules in place now there isn’t the slightest possibility (of being elected).”
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