Sepp Blatter Resigns as FIFA President

Sepp Blatter Resigns as FIFA President

Amidst a global scandal of corruption, racketeering, and bribery, Sepp Blatter has stepped down as President of FIFA. 

"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," Blatter said in a statement released by FIFA.

"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.

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

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. I will continue to exercise my functions as FIFA President until that election."

The 79-year-old Swiss native was re-elected this past Friday when the global soccer governing body convened for its annual Congress in Zurich. 

In resigning, Blatter also called for an extraordinary Congress that would elect a new president, as the next chapter of the event is scheduled for May of 2016 in Mexico. 

It remains to be seen what type of reform results from Blatter stepping down, but he called for profound structural changes.