Sepp Blatter’s resignation as Fifa president just days after his re-election to the most powerful job in world football is a seismic moment.
The 79-year-old has wielded power for 17 years but will leave with Fifa mired in a corruption scandal and a criminal investigation into the allocation of the next two World Cups in Russia and Qatar.
As Blatter prepares to leave office, football must now decide how the governing body can repair its reputation – and wrestle with the question of just who can replace a man seen as one of sport’s great survivors.
“I cherish FIFA more than anything and I want to do only what is best for FIFA and for football,” Blatter said at a press conference in Zurich on Tuesday.
“FIFA needs a profound overhaul. 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.”
Domenico Scala, head of FIFA’s independent audit and compliance committee, said there would need to be four months’ notice for any new presidential election.
“The decision for the timing of the election of the next president will be up to the executive committee and will take place any time from December until March.”