FIFA President Sepp Blatter leaves after his statement during a news conference at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, June 2, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

How soccer world reacted

European football federation chief Michel Platini, a French former international player and favourite to succeed Blatter as FIFA president, said,: "It was a difficult decision, a brave decision, and the right decision."

The second favourite on the list, Jordan's Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, who stood against Blatter but withdrew after gaining 73 votes to Blatter's 133 in the first round of last Friday's vote, stopped short of confirming that he would run again.

Asked if there should be a fresh start at FIFA, he told Britain's Channel 4 News, "I'm willing to help."

Greg Dyke, chairman of the English Football Association and one of Blatter's most outspoken critics, said it was "good news for world football" but then questioned Blatter's motive. "Who got him? Who shot him?" he asked.

"I don't believe he went for any sort of moral basis so something has happened between then and now which means he has to resign."

FIFA, which Blatter had led since 1998, was shocked last week by the announcement of a US investigation into alleged widespread financial wrongdoing stretching back more than two decades.

Swiss authorities also mounted their own criminal probe into the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar, respectively.

Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said Blatter's decision to step down was "courageous" and would help prevent a split in FIFA.

While Blatter was not mentioned in the US or Swiss investigations, there had been widespread calls for him to quit, mostly from Western nations. Some major sponsors also expressed misgivings about the impact of the scandal.