Sepp Blatter, Under Investigation in US, to Resign as FIFA President

Tuesday, June 02, 2015 Add Comment

FIFA president Sepp Blatter is being investigated by US officials as part of their inquiry into corruption at the world football body, US media say.

The news came hours after Mr Blatter announced that he was stepping down from his role. US prosecutors launched a criminal inquiry last week, with seven Fifa officials arrested in Switzerland, part of a group of 14 people indicted.

Two days after the arrests, Mr Blatter was re-elected president of Fifa. However, he said on Tuesday that it appeared the mandate he had been given "does not seem to be supported by everyone in the world".

Mr Blatter said: "Fifa needs profound restructuring."

'Bribes and kickbacks'

US officials quoted in the New York Times said they hoped to gain the co-operation of some of the Fifa figures now under indictment on charges of racketeering and money laundering to try to build a case against Mr Blatter.

In announcing the indictments last week, the US Attorney General Loretta Lynch insisted that they were at the beginning of their investigation rather than the end. She also called - just days before Sepp Blatter's re-election for a fifth term as president - for Fifa to make a new start.

It is primarily the American investigation that has plunged the world's governing body into the most serious crisis in its history.

Earlier the FBI, Internal Revenue Service and the US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, who is involved in the US prosecutions, all said they would not comment on the Blatter resignation.
In its prosecution, the US justice department said 14 individuals were under investigation worldwide for allegedly accepting bribes and kickbacks estimated at more than $150m (£97m) over a 24-year period.

Two vice-presidents were among the seven Fifa officials arrested in Zurich. They all await US extradition proceedings.

Brazilian footballing legend Pele told the BBC that the developments surrounding Fifa and Sepp Blatter "surprised everyone".

"My position is like a player. I want to see football put people together, stop the war," he said.
"Fifa needs honest people."

The arrests overshadowed the vote for a new president, which Mr Blatter won, defeating his sole challenger, Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of Jordan.
Prince Ali withdrew despite forcing a second round, having lost the first by 133 votes to 73.

Announcing his exit on Tuesday, 79-year-old Mr Blatter called an extraordinary Fifa congress "as soon as possible" to elect a new president. The Swiss, who has been Fifa president since 1998, said: "The next ordinary Fifa congress will take place on 13 May, 2016 in Mexico City.

"This would create unnecessary delay and I will urge the executive committee to organise an extraordinary congress for the election of my successor at the earliest opportunity.
"This will need to be done in line with Fifa's statutes and we must allow enough time for the best candidates to present themselves and to campaign."

The extraordinary congress is expected to take place between December 2015 and March 2016.
Further allegations of corruption emerged on Tuesday with claims that Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke was linked to an alleged $10m (£6m) payment of bribes over South Africa's bid to host the 2010 World Cup. He denies any wrongdoing.

A separate criminal investigation by Swiss authorities into how the 2018 and 2022 World Cups were allocated is also under way.

source:bbc

Beautiful Exotic Natural Place for Summer Vacation, Bali Ubud

Monday, June 01, 2015 Add Comment

Tjampuhan Valley in the heart of Ubud, Bali, Pita Maha Resort & Spa adorn, the landscape flowed beautiful Ayung river. It seems clear from the lobby and restaurants, natural beauty of Ubud foothills. As far as the eye could see, paddy fields and lush tropical vegetation extends along the valley to the sea.

Resort and spa locations is very strategic because it is located in the tourist areas are relatively close distance of places tourist destinations such as Ubud Palace, Ubud market, Monkey Forest, several museums and temples, walk tracks, and specialist shops and many other well-known resorts such as Ubud Hanging Garden as a favorite tourist destination

Rich in history, the area Tjampuhan main attraction of Bali’s arts community in 1934, the Prince of Ubud, Tjokorda Gde Agung Sukawati combine forces with the two western artists Walter Spies and Rudolf Bonner formed an association of artists called “The Pita Maha.”

Most of the villa has a private pool with garden, four two-storey villas to accommodate families. The whole villa has air conditioning, satellite TV, private bar, and other modern conveniences.
Restaurant terraced overlooking the valley offers luxury West and East, while cafes at the edge of the pool with spring water provides a variety of snacks and drinks laid out with a relaxed impression.

Private villa spa lull you to relax in style, enjoy a session recovery from fatigue and saturation. Pita Maha Private Villa Spa is a very luxurious resort is the main attraction, offering comprehensive health care, total relaxation for the body and mind in the middle of typical Balinese beautiful landscapes let's see how beautiful Bali Ubud below,