Sepp Blatter to Resign as FIFA President

After so much pressure mounting on him as regards the corruption scandal in the world football's governing body, Sepp Blatter has finally decided to resign as FIFA president after 17 years in charge.

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 the arrest of seven top FIFA officials two days before the vote as part of a US prosecution.

He said: "My mandate does not appear to be supported by everybody. The next ordinary FIFA congress will take place on 13 May, 2016 in Mexico City. This would create unnecessary delay and I will urge the executive committee to organize an extraordinary congress for the election of my successor at the earliest opportunity. This will need to be done in line with FIFA statutes and we must allow enough time for the best candidates to present themselves and to campaign."

''I am very much linked to FIFA and its interests. Those interests are dear to me and this is why I am taking this decision," added Blatter."I have thoroughly considered and thought about my presidency and the last 40 years in my life. These years were closely related to FIFA and the wonderful sport of football. I appreciate and love FIFA more than anything else. I only want to do the best for FIFA and my institution. I decided to stand again as the best option for football. The elections are closed but the challenges we face haven't come to an end. What counts most to me is the institute of FIFA and football around the world.The extraordinary congress is expected to take place between December 2015 and March 2016.

The latest allegations of corruption against Fifa involved reports claiming 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.