ZURICH, December 17: FIFA has taken note of the resignation of Michael J. Garcia as Chairman of the Investigatory Chamber of the FIFA Ethics Committee with immediate effect.

FIFA president Joseph S Blatter [said]: “I am surprised by Mr Garcia’s decision. The work of the Ethics Committee will nonetheless continue and will be a central part of the discussions at the exco meeting in the next two days.”

Pending the election of a new chairman of the Ethics Committee by the FIFA Congress, the FIFA Executive Committee will appoint an acting chairman to serve as a replacement for Mr Garcia.

FIFA has no further comment at this stage.

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