Walter DeGregorio, key spokesperson for FIFA during its crisis, has exited soccer's global governing body.
The five-year FIFA veteran will serve as consultant for the rest of the year. Nicolas Maingot, DeGregorio's top aide, will serve as director of communications & PA duties on an interim basis.
“Walter has worked incredibly hard for the past four years and we are immensely grateful for all he has done. I am glad we will be able to continue to draw on his expertise until the end of the year,”, said FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke.
DeGregorio's departure came two days after he made a joke at the expense of FiFA on Swiss TV. When asked for his favorite joke, the PR man said: "The FIFA president, secretary general and media director are sitting in a car. Who's driving. Answer? The police."
FIFA on June 10 retreated from its position that neither Valcke nor departing chief Sepp Blatter had anything to do with the transfer of $10M to the South African organizing committee for the 2010 World Cup.
Valcke now has admitted to authorizing the payment.
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