Sepp Blatter quits as Fifa president: Top ten most embarrassing quotes

'I will take care of it personally, to ensure there is no corruption at Fifa'

Sepp Blatter, pictured on his re-election as Fifa president (MICHAEL BUHOLZER | AFP | Getty Images)

Sepp Blatter has announced that he will resign as president of Fifa after calling an extraordinary meeting of the body's congress to choose a new leader.

After evidence emerged showing that Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke was aware of $10m payment from South Africa to Jack Warner, further pressure piled on the Fifa president. So far, the US department of justice has indicted 18 people, including 13 Fifa executives, in an ongoing and far-reaching investgation.

Mr Blatter was re-elected for fifth term as president last week, yet Europe's football body, Uefa, among others, have pressure on Mr Blatter to resign - even considering an 'alternative World Cup' in place of Russia 2018.

In a sudden press conference, Mr Blatter wrote: "I will organise extraordinary congress for a replacement for me as president. I will not stand. I am now free from the constraints of an election. I will be in a position to focus on profound reforms. For many years we have called for reforms. But these are not sufficient.”