Michael Garcia: Fifa investigator resigns in World Cup report row

The American lawyer cited a "lack of leadership" at the top of football's world governing body.

Garcia said he lost confidence in the independence of judge Hans-Joachim Eckert, an ethics committee colleague.

Uefa president Michel Platini said: "We wanted all transparency but this is a new failure for Fifa."

The head of European football spoke out as Garcia resigned a day after Fifa's appeals panel rejected his challenge of Eckert's summary of his report.

Garcia said: "It is the lack of leadership on these issues within Fifa that leads me to conclude that my role in this process is at an end."

Fifa president Sepp Blatter said: "I am surprised by Mr Garcia's decision. The work of the ethics committee will nonetheless continue."

The association said in a statement that an acting chairman of the committee would be appointed, pending the election of a successor to Garcia.

Qatar whistleblower Phaedra Al Majid said Fifa's rules are a "farce".

She added: "Not even an extensive, purportedly independent, two-year investigation and report could affect its culture."

Russia won the right to host the 2018 World Cup, while Qatar was awarded the 2022 tournament. Fifa cleared both of corruption despite a series of allegations.

(BBC)