Sepp Blatter to Resign as FIFA President

President of the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA), Sepp Blatter, has offered to step down from his position.

The 79-year-old said an extraordinary congress is to be called to elect his successor, very soon.

The head of the world football body had won re-election last week despite the corruption scandal and subsequent arrests of FIFA officials recently.

Blatter said, “I cherish FIFA more than anything and I want to do only what is best for FIFA and for football.

“I felt compelled to stand for re-election, as I believed that this was the best thing for the organisation.

“That election is over but FIFA’s challenges are not. FIFA needs a profound overhaul.

“While I have a mandate from the membership of FIFA, I do not feel that I have a mandate from the entire world of football – the fans, the players, the clubs, the people who live, breathe and love football as much as we all do at FIFA.

“Therefore, I have decided to lay down my mandate at an extraordinary elective congress.

“I will continue to exercise my functions as FIFA President until that election.”

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