NEW YORK (Web Desk) – Fifa president Sepp Blatter is being investigated by US officials as part of their inquiry into corruption at the world football body, US media say.
The news came hours after Mr Blatter, 79, announced that he was stepping down from his role.
US prosecutors launched a criminal inquiry last week, with seven Fifa officials arrested in Switzerland, part of a group of 14 people indicted.
Two days after the arrests, Mr Blatter was re-elected president of Fifa.
However, he said on Tuesday that it appeared the mandate he had been given “does not seem to be supported by everyone in the world”.
Mr Blatter said: “Fifa needs profound restructuring.” He said he would continue in post until an extraordinary congress is called to elect a new president, the BBC reported.
No dates have been set, but it is expected to take place between December 2015 and March 2016.
US officials quoted in the New York Times said they hoped to gain the co-operation of some of the Fifa figures now under indictment on charges of racketeering and money laundering to try to build a case against Mr Blatter.
Fifa’s legal troubles – key moments
- 27 May 2015: Seven Fifa officials arrested in Switzerland and face extradition to US, where a total of 14 people are charged with racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering
- 27 May: Swiss authorities also raid Fifa headquarters as part of investigation into 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids
- November 2014: Investigation requested by Fifa into 2018 and 2022 bids clears Qatar. US lawyer Michael Garcia, who conducted the report, called its summary by Fifa “erroneous”
- June 2011: Fifa presidential candidate Mohamed Bin Hammam found guilty of bribing members of the Caribbean Football Union and banned from football. Vice-President Jack Warner also resigns
- February 2011: Fifa upholds bans on two executive committee members over claims they asked for money in exchange for votes in 2018 and 2022 bids
Earlier the FBI, Internal Revenue Service and the US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, who is involved in the US prosecutions, all said they would not comment on the Blatter resignation.
In its prosecution, the US justice department said 14 individuals were under investigation worldwide for allegedly accepting bribes and kickbacks estimated at more than $150m (£97m) over a 24-year period.
Two vice-presidents were among the seven Fifa officials arrested in Zurich. They all await US extradition proceedings.
Brazilian footballing legend Pele told the BBC that the developments surrounding Fifa and Mr Blatter “surprised everyone”.
“My position is like a player. I want to see football put people together, stop the war,” he said.
“Fifa needs honest people.”
The arrests overshadowed the vote for a new president, which Mr Blatter won, defeating his sole challenger, Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of Jordan.
Prince Ali withdrew despite forcing a second round, having lost the first by 133 votes to 73.
Mr Blatter, who is Swiss and has been Fifa president since 1998, said he would urge Fifa’s executive committee to organise an extraordinary congress “for the election of my successor at the earliest opportunity”.
“This will need to be done in line with Fifa’s statutes and we must allow enough time for the best candidates to present themselves and to campaign.”
Further allegations of corruption emerged on Tuesday with claims that Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke was linked to an alleged $10m (£6m) payment of bribes over South Africa’s bid to host the 2010 World Cup. He denies any wrongdoing.
A separate criminal investigation by Swiss authorities into how the 2018 and 2022 World Cups were allocated is also under way.
