GENEVA, (AP):

The American lawyer who led the investigation into the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bid process has resigned from the FIFA ethics committee in protest over the handling of his findings.

Michael Garcia cited a "lack of leadership" at the top of FIFA in a resignation yesterday. He also says he lost confidence in the independence of his ethics committee colleague, German judge Joachim Eckert.

The former US Attorney quit a day after the FIFA's appeal panel rejected his challenge of Eckert's summary of the confidential 430-page investigation dossier.

Russia won the right to host the 2018 World Cup and Qatar was awarded the 2022 tournament.

Garcia claimed that Eckert misrepresented his work. In his resignation statement, Garcia questions how FIFA can truly change after years of scandals and criticism.