Sepp Blatter resigns as FIFA President amid bribery scandal

Sepp Blatter has sensationally announced his intention to resign as the head of FIFA after a 17-year career that has ended in infamy. 

In an astonishing announcement at FIFA HQ in Zurich this evening, Blatter revealed that he will call an emergency congress of FIFA executives to vote in his replacement.

While no timetable has yet been set for the election, officials have said it could take place any time between September this year and March next year. Blatter will continue in his role until then. 

At a hastily organised press conference in Zurich yesterday, Blatter said: 'I have been reflecting deeply about my presidency and about the forty years in which my life has been inextricably bound to FIFA and the great sport of football. 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.

'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 organise an Extraordinary Congress for the election of my successor at the earliest opportunity. 

'This will need to be done in line with FIFA's statutes and we just allow enough time for the best candidates to present themselves and to campaign.

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