Blatter steps down

Blatter steps down

Sepp Blatter is set to resign as the president of football's governing body Fifa. This decision came just after he was re elected last week, despite seven top Fifa officials being arrested two days before the vote. A corruption scandal including top fifa officials shocked the world and Blatter is reportedly under investigation by the US.

"I felt compelled to stand for re-election, as I believed that this was the best thing for the organization. That election is over, but FIFA's challenges are not. FIFA needs a profound overhaul," he said. “Although the members of FIFA have given me the new mandate, this mandate does not seem to be supported by everybody in the world of football.”

"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." He added.

"This will need to be done in line with Fifa's statutes and we must allow enough time for the best candidates to present themselves and to campaign." He further said.

A special meeting of FIFA’s member nations will be called to elect a new president. According to FIFA’s rules, members must be given at least four months’ notice for such a meeting. The extraordinary congress is expected to take place between December 2015 and March 2016.

Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan is expected to be next in line after Blatter steps down. Blatter earlier beat the prince to win his fifth term as President.

"I am always there to serve football and I think that's the most important thing and to do so much work to fix this organisation in a proper way," said Ali.

Asia and Africa declared strong public support for Blatter against his challenger Prince Ali bin al Hussein, brother of Jordan's monarch.

But Europe aren’t with Blatter, UEFA leader Michel Platini says Blatter lied when he said in 2011 that he would stand down this time. Platini says Blatter made some good decisions "often in difficult circumstances" but that now he cannot face a life of "emptiness" without Fifa's power. UEFA even threatened to boycott the world cup if Blatter continues to stay as President of the organisation.