Africa accepts Sepp Blatter resignation, supports reforms

Paris: The governing body of African Football CAF, which wholeheartedly supported FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on Wednesday it had taken note of his resignation and now fully supports reforms.

"The Confederation of African Football has taken note of the decision of FIFA President, Joseph Sepp Blatter, to resign," CAF said in a statement posted on its website.

"CAF commits to supporting reforms intended for the consolidation of a FIFA that will be accepted by everyone, and reiterates its determination to cooperate in safeguarding the moral and ethical values that underlie the practice of football, its organisation, administration and development," it said.

Blatter, a 79-year-old Swiss, resigned from his post on Tuesday as an FBI investigation tightens its grip on several FIFA officials over allegations of 150 million dollars of bribes.

CAF president Issa Hayatou had supported Blatter, who had long courted African support and its 54 votes in the FIFA congress by investing in stadiums and soccer facilities there.

"What made us support Sepp Blatter, is that he has truly helped the African continent. By allocating this 2010 World Cup, by the various training courses he organised, by the various sporting facilities constructed. All of this rallied the continent to support his cause," Hayatou said on arrival in Cameroon from Switzerland on Wednesday.