Oceania soccer boss quits over World Cup scandal

Oceania soccer boss quits over World Cup scandal
AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE

AUCKLAND, JULY 13: Charlie Dempsey, pilloried for handing Germany the 2006 World Cup by refusing to vote for South Africa as instructed by the Oceania Football Confederation, stepped down Thursday night from his position as OFC President.

Clearly upset by the events following his controversial abstention at last week's 2006 World Cup vote in Zurich, the 78-year-old handed his daughter and OFC general secretary, Josephine King, a letter confirming his retirement. He had earlier indicated he would step down on October 1 -- two years ahead of schedule.

Dempsey said his family had been under tremendous pressure since he returned from Zurich where his abstention from the World Cup ballot effectively skittled South Africa's hopes of hosting the 2006 Cup. "My family has been harassed and I'm not prepared to let that continue," an obviously shaken Dempsey told reporters.

"Annie (his wife) and I are going on holiday. She has stood up to it well, but it is not fair to let it continue. The pressure had been too much for me. My family is more important than football."

The vote for Dempsey's successor is expected to be taken on October 1, with Vanuatu's Johnny Tinsley Lulu, the current vice President, and Australian Basil Scarsella already confirmed front-runners.