FIFA provisionally suspends Sepp Blatter

The Ethics Committee of FIFA has provisionally suspended the world football governing body’s president, Joseph Sepp Blatter for 90 days.

With Blatter’s suspension, Issa Hayatou, President of the Confederation of African Football, takes over temporarily as FIFA president.

News monitored from the international media says the committee’s decision was made, pending further investigations by the Swiss Attorney General.

Blatter’s suspension is linked to allegations that FIFA paid UEFA president, Michel Platini about $2 million in 2011 for work he had done in 2002. Swiss investigators have questioned Platini over the payment.

The news is coming on the heels of Blatter’s criticism of the criminal investigation against him. He described the investigations as “outrageous”.

Last week major sponsors of world football including Coca Cola and MacDonalds called for Blatter’s resignation.

FIFA has been hit by a storm of corruption allegations and arrests. Some of its executives have been arrested and indicted.

Blatter however, has consistently denied any wrong-doing.

By Emmanuel K. Dogbevi