Blatter’s decision was welcomed by Michel Platini, who is favourite to succeed Blatter as FIFA president, as well as Jordan’s Prince Ali bin Al Hussein. Blatter, 79, a skilled politician who speaks at least five languages, announced he would step down 17 years since he first rose to the presidency. Blatter oversaw the growth of the World Cup into a multibillion-dollar cash cow and the primary source of FIFA’s revenue. During only the 2011-2014 cycle, it generated $5.72 billion of revenue. Some critics, as Australian football analyst Craig Foster, expressed the opinion that Mr Blatter’s resignation must be effective immediately instead of him staying on until a new Fifa president is elected in December.
