(MENAFN- Emirates News Agency (WAM)) Fifa president Sepp Blatter has resigned from his post, just days after being re-elected for a fifth term in a vote overshadowed by arrests and corruption allegations.
After 17 years in charge of Federation Internationale de Football Association, Fifa, the world soccer's governing body, Blatter held an impromptu press conference in Zurich on Tuesday where he announced that he will resign from the position he has held since 1998.
In announcing his exit, the 79-year-old Swiss has called an extraordinary Fifa congress "as soon as possible" to elect a new president.
Blatter was re-elected last week, despite seven top Fifa officials being arrested two days before the vote as part of a US prosecution.
Fourteen individuals, including nine Fifa officials, were indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice and FBI on allegations of corruption and bribery last week.
Blatter was not charged in either of the criminal investigations opened into Fifa activities last week, and subsequently won reelection to his fifth term as president.
"I have decided to stand again to be elected because I was convinced it would be the best option for football," Blatter told reporters.
"The election has closed but the challenges that Fifa is facing have not come to and end. Fifa needs profound restructuring. Although the members of Fifa have given me the mandate and re-elected my president. This mandate doesn't seem to be supported by everyone in the world of football."
"This is why I will call an extraordinary congress and put at disposal my function. It is going to be held as soon as possible and a new president will be elected to follow me. I will continue to exercise my function as president of Fifa until the new elections will be held," Blatter added.
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