Michael Garcia Resigns From FIFA Ethics Committee: Latest Details and Reaction

FIFA Ethics committee member Michael Garcia has resigned from his position with the football world governing organisation, as a protest to the handling of his investigation findings into the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding process.

Graham Dunbar of APNewsBreak reports the American lawyer stood down on Wednesday due to FIFA's handling of his report, saying the organisation now has a "lack of leadership" at its core.

BBC 5Live's Richard Conway also confirmed the resignation on social media:

Alexei Nikolsky/Associated Press

Garcia made a full and conclusive resignation statement on his departure and the reasons, as reported by the Associated Press via ABC News.

He spoke about how he believed progress had halted in recent times at FIFA, and how his report which "identified serious and wide-ranging issues with the bidding and selection process" had been censored by the organisation, damaging the transparency of his findings:

"

It now appears that, at least for the foreseeable future, the Eckert Decision will stand as the final word on the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup bidding process. While the Appeal Committee's decision notes that further appeal may be taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, I have concluded that such a course of action would not be practicable in this case.

No independent governance committee, investigator, or arbitration panel can change the culture of an organization. And while the November 13, 2014, Eckert Decision made me lose confidence in the independence of the Adjudicatory Chamber, it is the lack of leadership on these issues within FIFA that leads me to conclude that my role in this process is at an end.

Accordingly, effective today, December 17, 2014, I am resigning as independent Chairman of the Investigatory Chamber of the FIFA Ethics Committee.

"

Christophe Ena/Associated Press

Garcia's decision will rock FIFA, who have desperately tried to portray themselves in a fairer light in recent times.

Paul Kelso of Sky Sports reported Friday that the organization would be publishing the full report--with redactions:

For a senior member such as Garcia to tender his resignation over this matter—the organisation will now surely come under more sever scrutiny.

UEFA chief Michel Platini has reacted to the news of Garcia's departure and criticised the world body, as reported by BBC sports editor, Dan Roan:

Sepp Blatter also commented on the news, via Rob Harris of the Associated Press:

It is back to the drawing board for FIFA now as it looks to repair the damage down by Garcia's exit and his parting statement.

Blatter has controlled the organisation with an iron fist for many years but it feels that his grip may soon be about to slip. 

But FIFA have always recovered against negative publicity in the past, and Blatter will surely call upon his allies to support him and the organisation's philosophies.