Blatter resigns six days after FBI arrests

Sepp Blatter resigned as FIFA president on Tuesday, four days after being re-elected to a fifth term.

Blatter, 79, announced the decision at a news conference in Zurich, six days after the FBI raided a hotel in Zurich and arrested several FIFA officials.

He was re-elected after his only rival, Jordan’s Prince Ali bin Al Hussein withdrew after losing heavily in the first round of voting.

“FIFA has been my life…what counts most for me is FIFA and football around the world,” Blatter said.

“An extraordinary congress is to be called to elect my successor as soon as possible.”

Blatter was re-elected last week, despite seven top Fifa officials being arrested two days before the vote as part of a US prosecution.

But he said: “My mandate does not appear to be supported by everybody.”

Fifa was rocked last week by the arrests on charges of racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering as part of a US prosecution that also indicted 14 people.

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

“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.

“What counts most to me is the institute of Fifa and football around the world.” Reuters/BBC