Sepp Blatter 'relieved' after FIFA resignation

Outgoing FIFA president Sepp Blatter has described his decision to stand down after 17 years as "liberating."

The 79-year-old announced his decision to stand down earlier this month just days after he was re-elected to serve a fifth term in charge.

In the week leading up to the vote, several FIFA officials were arrested by the FBI on suspicions of corruption charges, and an investigation into football's governing body is ongoing.

Blater told Swiss newspaper Walliser Bote: "I am not yet having many thoughts about this, and am not worrying. The decision to go is definitely liberating. For FIFA and for myself.

"I am still president of FIFA and fully capable of acting. FIFA and football have been the most important part of my life for 40 years. So I will use all my strength and inspiration up to my last working day to steer the ship back into the safe harbour."

Blatter's successor is expected to be announced in early 2016.