Sepp Blatter steps down as Fifa President amid corruption scandal

Sepp Blatter has said he will resign as president of Fifa, following the football governing body's ongoing corruption scandal.

As he announced his exit, he called for a congress to elect a new president as soon as possible.

"My mandate does not appear to be supported by everybody,” the 79-year old said. “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. What counts most to me is the institute of Fifa and football around the world,” he added.

The decisions follows Blatter's re-election last week, despite seven top Fifa officials being arrested two days before the vote. He was urged to quit by Uefa before the election.

A separate criminal investigation by Swiss authorities into how the 2018 and 2022 World Cups were allocated remains under way.