Sepp Blatter says he will resign as president of football's governing body Fifa amid a corruption scandal.
In announcing his exit, the 79-year-old 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.
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 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. money, power and my ego"
No way will the World Cups in Qatar and Russia go ahead now. There will blatantly be a re vote.
I wouldnt want to be the person to tell that to Putin. You will end up at the bottom of the sea with lead weights on your ankles.
I can't see them being cancelled unless there is evidence that comes to light that the Russian and Qatari federations paid bribes to FIFA.
And that evidence will surely be a matter of time. The US authorities are going gung ho at this - getting one over on Putin is their ultimate aim I reckon.
I really really hope that this will be a positive move forward for FIFA, to put back some much needed credibility in the organisation, and more important faith and professionalism in the game we all love.
He knows the FBI have got him, he can't get out of it and he's going down for a long time.
This is the biggest thing to happen to football in my lifetime although it's going to make sky sports news unwatchable for the next couple of weeks as they won't talk about anything else.
Surely they'll be a re vote for the Qatar world cup now!
He knows the FBI have got him, he can't get out of it and he's going down for a long time.
This is the biggest thing to happen to football in my lifetime although it's going to make sky sports news unwatchable for the next couple of weeks as they won't talk about anything else.
Surely they'll be a re vote for the Qatar world cup now!
It's not surprising that Blatter hasn't been to US since 2011.
Comments
I wouldnt want to be the person to tell that to Putin. You will end up at the bottom of the sea with lead weights on your ankles.
In announcing his exit, the 79-year-old 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.
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 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. money, power and my ego"I've corrected the end of his statement.
I cant see any real change coming in FIFA, the corrupt nations will pick their man as usual.
New sponsors, huge increase in cash flow, interesting friendlies in far flung places.
What's not to like
This is the biggest thing to happen to football in my lifetime although it's going to make sky sports news unwatchable for the next couple of weeks as they won't talk about anything else.
Surely they'll be a re vote for the Qatar world cup now!