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Investigator Michael Garcia resigns after losing Fifa appeal

US lawyer Michael Garcia has resigned as Fifa's independent ethics investigator after losing his appeal challenging the findings to clear Russia and Qatar to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

Garcia has issued a statement criticising Fifa's "lack of leadership", saying he cannot change the culture of the world governing body.

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Fifa President Blatter 'surprised' at Garcia resignation

Credit: Reuters

The President of Fifa, Sepp Blatter, has said that he is "surprised" at the decision of chief ethics investigator Michael Garcia to resign after his his appeal against the findings which cleared Qatar and Russia to host the 2022 and 2018 World Cups was rejected.

In an official statement, Mr Blatter said:

I am surprised by Mr Garcia’s decision. The work of the Ethics Committee will nonetheless continue and will be a central part of the discussions at the ExCo meeting in the next two days.

– Sepp Blatter

Fifa said it will appoint an acting chairman to serve as a replacement for Mr Garcia on the Ethics Committee, pending an election to replace him.

Read Michael Garcia's full resignation letter here.

Michael Garcia resigns in protest over Fifa ethics report

US lawyer Michael Garcia, ex-Fifa chief ethics investigator. Credit: Reuters

US lawyer Michael Garcia has resigned his position as Fifa's chief ethics investigator in protest.

In his resignation letter, Mr Garcia said he disagreed with governing body of football's decision to reject his appeal against the findings which cleared Qatar and Russia to host the 2022 and 2018 World Cups.

He also mentions a "lack of leadership" within Fifa, saying he cannot change the culture of the world governing body.

It now appears that, at least for the foreseeable future, the Eckert Decision will stand as the final word on the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup bidding process. While the Appeal Committee's decision notes that further appeal may be taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, I have concluded that such a course of action would not be practicable in this case.

No independent governance committee, investigator, or arbitration panel can change the culture of an organization. And while the November 13, 2014, Eckert Decision made me lose confidence in the independence of the Adjudicatory Chamber, it is the lack of leadership on these issues within FIFA that leads me to conclude that my role in this process is at an end.

Accordingly, effective today, December 17, 2014, I am resigning as independent Chairman of the Investigatory Chamber of the FIFA Ethics Committee.

– Michael Garcia

More: FIFA reject Michael Garcia ethics report appeal

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