Sepp Blatter steps down as Fifa President amid 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.