Primera Liga: Valencia president resigns unexpectedly

Valencia president Pedro Cortes has surprisingly resigned from the club.

With tears streaming down his face, Cortes read out a brief statement at a news conference held at the club, in which he said he was leaving for "reasons concerning my family."

He gave no further details.

The 53-year old, who made his money in the trucking business, had been the club's president for three years. There had been no prior indication of his resignation.

In the last two seasons, Valencia reached the final of Champions League, but lost the title contest.

"This club has reached heights never before achieved," Cortes said, adding he was also resigning from the club's board of directors.

Vice president Jaime Orti takes over as interim president until next Monday when there will be a decision on who will take over the post permanently.

"This was a complete surprise for everyone," Orti commented.

The most pressing issues for Orti include the possible departure of Spanish international Gaizka Mendieta, tracked by both Real Madrid and Lazio, and the signing of Yugoslav international striker Darko Kovacevic from Juventus.