Embattled FIFA president gives up IOC seatAugust 3, 2015 - 09:04 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Under pressure FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Monday, Aug 3, gave up his International Olympic Committee seat because he will soon end his reign in charge of world football, AFP reports. Blatter, whose organization is embroiled in a corruption scandal, was among a group of eight IOC members who should have sought re-election on Monday at a meeting in Kuala Lumpur. He has said he will stand down as FIFA president on Feb 26 when an election for a new leader will be held. IOC president Thomas Bach said that Blatter "does not deem it to be appropriate to stand for re-election for eight years knowing that after seven months his term would come to an end." Bach thanked Blatter and other members leaving the IOC for their "great contribution" to the Olympic movement. Blatter, who has been an IOC member since 1999, did not attend the Kuala Lumpur meeting. The FIFA president was part of an IOC commission that decided on reforms of the Olympic organisation after it was hit by a bribery scandal over the Salt Lake City Winter Games in 2002. Photo: AFP Top stories Armenian gymnast, Olympic bronze medalist Artur Davtyan has reached the finals of the World Cup. Gor Manvelyan has denied reports alleging that he has expressed a desire to one day play for the French national team. Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not considering FC Spartak Moscow as his next haven, according to fresh reports. 10 Armenian lifters will compete in the 2021 World Championships scheduled to be held from 7 to 17 December in Tashkent. Partner news | PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. Azerbaijan razes historic Armenian church to ground Azerbaijan has demolished the historic Armenian Church of St. John the Baptist (known as Kanach Zham). Turkey extends military presence in Azerbaijan The Turkish parliament has adopted a bill submitted by Recep Tayyip Erdogan to extend the mandate of Turkish troops. |