Sepp Blatter is set to resign as FIFA president. He announced his decision in a surprise press conference called on Tuesday.
Blatter based his decision on the fact that he is not in mandate with from the entire world of football. Blatter announced his decision amid all the corruption scandals surrounding FIFA World Cup 2018 and 2022.
In his statement, Blatter said: “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.”
Blatter has hold on to the post since 1998 and will eventually leave his post sometime between December 2015 and March 2016. FIFA will announce their decision to name Blatter’s successor later this year.
Blatter vowed to work for reform before he steps down as the president of FIFA.
Blatter said: “FIFA needs a profound overhaul,”
Blatter continued, “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 organization. That election is over but FIFA’s challenges are not. FIFA needs a profound overhaul.”