PFF "surprised" that Blatter resigns

Sepp Blatter. AP (file photo)
By Dugout Philippines

MANILA—The Philippine Football Federation expressed its respect on Sepp Blatter's decision to resign as FIFA president but admitted it was surprised about his move.

The PFF's official statement released on Wednesday, hours after Blatter announced in a press conference in Zurich that he will step down as the head of football's global governing body, read:

"We are surprised by the decision of FIFA President Joseph Blatter to lay down his mandate during a FIFA Extraordinary Congress in December 2015. We believe he made a courageous decision in the greater interest of the sport of football.

We thank him for his spirited efforts for meaningful football development programmes in all FIFA Member Associations.

We join all football stakeholders in moving forward. The situation offers a big opportunity to continue and intensify the reforms that have been started. Indeed, deliberate focus on more governance reform and transparency is now called for."

Blatter's resignation came four days after he won a fifth term as FIFA's top official. His fourth term was marred with controversial corruption issues, especially those raised up this year.