Sepp Blatter has not resigned but will leave, says Fifa

Sepp Blatter has insisted he has not resigned as Fifa president but the world governing body says the 79-year-old still plans to leave the position.

Blatter announced on June 2 he would step down from the Fifa presidency at an extraordinary congress to be held between December and March. It followed the crisis that engulfed Fifa, with 18 people indicted in the United States on football-related corruption charges.

Now, in what is seen by some as a mischief-making attempt to unsettle his critics, Blatter used his first public appearance since his announcement to say, according to Swiss newspaper Blick: “I have not resigned, I put my mandate in the hands of an extraordinary congress.” It follows reports in the Swiss media that Blatter may consider putting his name forward again after being contacted by supportive national associations.