(ATR) The director of communications & public affairs at FIFA has stepped down with immediate effect.
FIFA announced on Jun. 11, via release, that Walter de Gregorio would be stepping down and serving on a "consultancy basis" through the calendar year. De Gregorio joined FIFA in September 2011.
Deputy director Nicolas Maingot will assume de Gregorio’s role immediately on an interim basis.
"Walter has worked incredibly hard for the past four years and we are immensely grateful for all he has done," Jérôme Valcke, FIFA secretary general, said in a statement.
"I am glad we will be able to continue to draw on his expertise until the end of the year."
There is speculation that De Gregoriowas fired for a joke he made while appearing on Swiss television recently.
Hearing DeGregorio fired after making joke on a Swiss TV.Q: FIFA president, gen sec + comms dir are in a car. Who's driving?A: The police
— Martyn Ziegler (@martynziegler) June 11, 2015De Gregorio’s actions come nine days after Sepp Blatter announced a FIFA extraordinary congress to elect a new president of the organization in the six to ten months.
Written by Aaron Bauer
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