THE man at the centre of the FIFA bribery scandal has resigned as its vice-president.
Jack Warner, the longest-serving member of FIFA's executive committee, had been suspended pending the outcome of the corruption inquiry.
FIFA said the ethics committee had now dropped procedures against him "
and the presumption of innocence is maintained".
Warner, of Trinidad and Tobago, had been accused of arranging backhanders to try to secure Asia football chief Mohammed Bin Hammam's election as FIFA president.
Sepp Blatter won in a farcical one-horse race after Qatar's Hammam was suspended with Warner.
Warner, 68, also quit as president of the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF).
In a statement today, FIFA said: "Jack A. Warner has informed FIFA about his resignation from his posts in international football.
"FIFA regrets the turn of events that have led to Mr Warner's decision.
"His resignation has been accepted by world football's governing body, and his contribution to international football and to Caribbean football in particular and the CONCACAF confederation are appreciated and acknowledged.
"Mr Warner is leaving FIFA by his own volition after nearly 30 years of service."
Warner and Hammam were accused of giving or offering bribes of £25,000 each to the 25 members of the Caribbean Football Union.
A source close to Warner said he had taken the decision "for the good of the game" but refused to comment when asked if he had jumped before he was pushed.
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