The best news for ages: Reactions to Sepp Blatter's decision to resign as FIFA president

FIFA supremo Sepp Blatter announced on Tuesday - five days after being elected for his fifth term at the helm of FIFA - that he’s stepping down. The intense, unprecedented scrutiny on FIFA’s culture of corruption, triggered by the arrests made by US and Swiss proesecutors, has led to the Swiss saying ‘Enough is Enough’. [caption id=“attachment_2276670” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] What did the world say when Blatter announced he will quit? File photo: Reuters[/caption] In a hastily arranged press conference in Zurich - where even the number of journalists attending the event was few - Blatter announced his decision to give up the mandate “at an extraordinary elective Congress.” He ended the speech saying what matters to him more than anything is that when all of this is over, football is the winner. As quite a few twitter users pointed out, Blatter signed off with a Ravi Shastri quote. But what else did the footballing community have to say? The decision, which took almost everyone by surprise, naturally generated a lot of reaction both serious and funny. Here’s a collection of the ones that stood out: When the decision was announced

Blatter to resign.

— Richard Conway (@richard_conway) June 2, 2015

Blatter has resigned. Wow. Wow. Wow.

— Gabriele Marcotti (@Marcotti) June 2, 2015

What do the players - current and former - feel? “A good day for FIFA and for football. Change is finally coming. I said on Friday that the day would come sooner or later. Here it is! Now we should, responsibly and calmly, find a consensual solution worldwide in order to start new era of dynamism, transparency and democracy in FIFA.” - Luis Figo

Blatter has resigned. Can't quite believe it. FIFA always appeared to be such a fine upstanding organisation.

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 2, 2015

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Blatter wasn't sole responsible, more have to follow. Transparency and voting reform, then we move on and bring back ethics. #FIFA

— Vincent Kompany (@VincentKompany) June 2, 2015

“The best news for ages! Joseph Blatter stepping down as FIFA president represents the beginning of a new era for world football.” - Romario, former Brazilian star-turned-senator. “Blatter’s resignation is brilliant news for world football. He’s stood down. He’s gone. Let’s celebrate.” - English FA Chief Greg Dyke. “It was a difficult decision, a brave decision, and the right decision” - UEFA chief Michel Platini. Nothing like a bit of realism when there is joy and celebration all around:

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Platini? Voted for Qatar 2022. Qataris then buy PSG, France's top club. And Platini's son is hired as CEO of a Qatari sports apparel co.

— Mark Mravic (@MarkMravic) June 2, 2015

Not surprisingly, there was support from the African federations. Former Zambian star and current head of the Zamibian Football Association, posted on Twitter:

Fifa President Sepp Blatter announces that he will resign. Sad day for Futbol @FAZFootball

— Kalusha Bwalya (@KalushaPBwalya) June 2, 2015

Honorable gesture from The FIFA President @SeppBlatter #You will always have my support

— Kalusha Bwalya (@KalushaPBwalya) June 2, 2015

There was time for humour too. Game of Thrones was referenced and John Oliver was a happy man after his HBO video went viral.

Champagne.... pic.twitter.com/1S8shEcN6E

— John Oliver (@iamjohnoliver) June 2, 2015

Found anything else that stood? Share with us in the comments section!