FIFA PRESIDENT SEP BLATTER STEPS DOWN, BLAMES DECISION ON LOST OF SUPPORT

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has announced that he will step down as head of world soccer's governing body but only after the organization's executive committee organizes a fresh vote "for the election of my successor".

He is yet to announce when the election would be held but said it should before the next World Congress in May 2016. Domenico Scala, chiarman of FIFA's audit and compliance committee, said it cannot be held for at least four months, according to FIFA rules,

"The expectation is that this could take place anytime from December of this year to March of next year," he said.

Blatter said in Zurich that the reforms he has tried to implement over the years have not been enough.

"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," he said.

He continued, "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."