HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC) — Bermuda Football Association president Larry Mussenden has expressed surprise at Sepp Blatter’s shock resignation amid a growing corruption scandal, but has hailed the achievements of the FIFA president.

Blatter, 79, who was re-elected to a fifth term at the FIFA congress in Zurich in his native Switzerland last Friday, on Tuesday promised to call for fresh elections to choose a successor.

Mussenden, a lawyer who performed the role as chairman of the FIFA ad hoc electoral committee in Zurich, praised Blatter, who took over as FIFA president in 1998, for the “good work” he performed while in office.

“It was a surprise to me because during the presidential campaign, Blatter was clear that he was going to be running, wanted to serve another term, and had a mandate,” Mussenden said.

“During the last week in Zurich, I was of the view he was going to continue.

“He said that he has always worked hard for football and that he always had football’s best interests at heart.”

Blatter announced his decision at a hastily called news conference on Tuesday as the corruption scandal threatened to engulf his second in command, Jerome Valcke, the FIFA general secretary.

Reports linked Valcke to the transfer of US$10 million to accounts controlled by Trinidadian Jack Warner, a former CONCACAF president, who was among 14 FIFA officials and corporate executives charged by the US Department of Justice last Wednesday with running a criminal enterprise that involved more than $150 million in bribes.

Warner, a former FIFA vice-president, turned himself in to police in Port of Spain last Thursday and was released on bail the following day.

American investigators say Warner’s long-time FIFA colleague Chuck Blazer believed the money was paid as bribes in exchange for their votes to give the 2010 World Cup to South Africa.

He has denied any wrongdoing.

Blatter joined FIFA in 1975 as technical director for development projects, was promoted to general secretary in 1981 and spent 17 years as right-hand man to Joao Havelange of Brazil before being elected to lead world football.