TheCable

England’s Football Association (FA) vice-chairman David Gill has rejected a place on FIFA’s executive committee while Sepp Blatter is president.

The former Manchester United director did not attend Saturday’s first executive committee meeting following Blatter’s re-election to a fifth term.

“I do recognise that Mr Blatter has been democratically elected and wish FIFA every success in tackling the many troubling issues it faces,” Gill said in a statement.

“However, my professional reputation is critical to me and I simply do not see how there will be change for the good of world football while Mr Blatter remains in post.

“I will continue to focus on my positions within The FA and UEFA, which I take seriously and am privileged to hold.”

Gill, who as Britain’s FIFA vice-president was due to sit on the committee, but had said before Friday’s election that he would not take up his position should Blatter win.

“As I explained to my European colleagues at the UEFA meeting on Thursday, I will not be taking my place on the FIFA executive committee,” he said.

“Out of respect for the FIFA congress and the other 208 member associations, it was right to wait until after yesterday’s election to confirm my decision.

“This action is not something I take lightly but the terribly damaging events of the last three days have convinced me it is not appropriate to be a member of the FIFA executive committee under the current leadership.”

The British vice-presidency is elected by members of UEFA and an election for Gill’s successor is now likely to take place.

Blatter beat Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan in Friday’s presidential election amidst crisis which has seen seven FIFA officials arrested.