Sepp Blatter says he will resign as president of football's governing body Fifa amid a corruption scandal. In announcing his exit, the 7...
Sepp Blatter says he will resign as president of football's governing body Fifa amid a corruption scandal.
In announcing his exit, the 79-year-old Swiss has called an extraordinary Fifa congress "as soon as possible" to elect a new president.
Blatter was re-elected last week, despite seven top Fifa officials being arrested two days before the vote as part of a US prosecution.
But he said: "My mandate does not appear to be supported by everybody."
Blatter, who has been Fifa president since 1998, added: "The next ordinary Fifa congress will take place on 13 May, 2016 in Mexico City.
The latest allegations of corruption to emerge on Tuesday involved reports claiming Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke was responsible for an alleged $10m (£6m) payment of bribes over South Africa's bid to host the 2010 World Cup.
See some reactions on twitter below
The pressure yields fruit. Blather steps down— Colin NOT Collins (@ColinUdoh) June 2, 2015
Blatter's influence will remain strong within key FIFA voting blocks. Expect he'll still have a big say in who his replacement will be— Colin NOT Collins (@ColinUdoh) June 2, 2015
Bloody hell! Wrong day to miss work! Sepp Blatter ACTUALLY resigned! Damn.— Temisan Okomi (@temiokomi) June 2, 2015
I wonder who/what convinced Blatter to resign!!!???— Afam Bu Charles (@chaplinez70) June 2, 2015
The perfect photograph of Sepp Blatter. http://t.co/yfgWoqztUm pic.twitter.com/jgPh7nzZKR— USA TODAY Sports (@USATODAYsports) June 2, 2015
First got Bin Laden, now got Blatter. Thanks America pic.twitter.com/ZaKSiGbgfJ— Football Trolls (@Footballltrolls) June 2, 2015
Blatter is a hero. He conceded defeat after he won an election. What a hero!— I'm Bada By Far! (@BadaAkintundeJ) June 2, 2015