One of last remaining officials from Blatter era has left FIFA

FIFA’s longtime legal director, who was a key link to its American lawyers during federal investigations of corruption, has left soccer’s world body.

Marco Villiger, now the deputy secretary general for administrative matters, left the organization Monday, FIFA said in a statement announcing the exit of its highestranking official to stay in office during recent years of turmoil.

Villiger, who joined FIFA in 2002, said in a brief statement he was “seeking for new challenges” after a successful World Cup in Russia.

He was the main official on former FIFA president Sepp Blatter’s staff to remain and have continuing influence during investigations by United States and Swiss federal prosecutors, which were revealed in May 2015 and are ongoing.

Villiger was responsible for hiring legal firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart and Sullivan to protect FIFA’s interests even before sweeping indictments were published. In 2014, the New York Daily News reported former FIFA executive committee member Chuck Blazer was co-operating with American federal authorities.

Working with FIFA’s American lawyers and advisers, Villiger helped to oversee internal investigations of staff and portray the embattled soccer body to U.S. authorities as a victim of corruption instead of complicit. FIFA later applied for tens of millions of dollars in restitution from assets forfeited by soccer and marketing officials who have pleaded guilty to bribery linked to broadcasting and commercial rights deals.

Blatter told reporters in March this year he was “totally disappointed” with Villiger, whom he had regarded as a loyal confidant with detailed knowledge of FIFA’s business.

“He knew it. All contracts went on his desk and he was the secretary of all the committees of FIFA,” Blatter said of Villiger, who was promoted when Gianni Infantino was elected FIFA president in 2016. “He (Villiger) was the man who had all the power and Gianni was intelligent enough to keep him.”

FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura said Monday that Villiger “has been a pillar of the organization.”