Just four days after earning re-election for a fifth term, FIFA president Sepp Blatter resigned.
Blatter called for a special congressional meeting to be held among FIFA's delegates in order to elect a successor as soon as possible.
The 79-year-old Swiss native, who has been at soccer's world governing body for 40 years, announced his decision during a surprise press conference this afternoon.
Blatter departs. pic.twitter.com/areGUTZysE — Richard Conway (@richard_conway) June 2, 2015
Blatter resigns at a time when FIFA is under severe scrutiny. This follows the arrests of seven of the organization's executives last Wednesday at the hands of Swiss authorities acting with the US government.
Blatter, who spoke in French, cited a need for FIFA to undergo "profound restructuring" as one of the prime reasons for his departure.
He will continue to act as president until a successor is elected at the emergency congress, which will be held between December 2015 and March 2016.
