The sudden announcement that Sepp Blatter would be stepping down as FIFA president has sent shockwaves through the world of football.

Many high-profile figures, pundits and fans seemed resigned to another term of Blatter in charge after he comfortably secured a fifth-term in the presidential elections last week.

However, a hastily arranged news conference in Zurich saw the 79-year-old give in to widespread calls for his departure.

Blatter’s announcement comes just six days after the FBI raided a hotel in Zurich and arrested several FIFA officials.

UEFA PRESIDENT MICHEL PLATINI

"It was a difficult decision, a brave decision, and the right decision."

FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION CHAIRMAN GREG DYKE

"It is a good afternoon! I think it's brilliant for world football. This is the start of something new.

"We welcome today's announcement and believe it is good news for world football and FIFA. Change at the very top of FIFA is the necessary first step in delivering real reform of the organisation.

"We will now commit ourselves to play whatever role we can to support a positive transformation of FIFA for the benefit of all."

FORMER FIFA PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE JEROME CHAMPAGNE

"Mr Blatter clearly underlines the fact that it is FIFA that counts, as the world government of football – and in a way he is sacrificing himself for it, for a structure that he developed and that he loves."

ROMARIO, 1994 WORLD CUP WINNER WITH BRAZIL

"This is the best news in a long time. The resignation of Joseph Blatter from the presidency of FIFA represents the start of a new era for world soccer. All corrupt federation leaders around the world will feel their fall coming like a tsunami. I hope that this great wave is enough to wash out all the corruption led by the world's highest soccer authority.

"Good news for soccer...Now we can say that we have cleared the way for effective change in world soccer. In recent decades, FIFA has become just a machine for making money."

KALUSHA BWALYA, FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA PRESIDENT AND FORMER AFRICAN FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR

"I'm really surprised and shocked. I did not see today coming. But I could see last week in Zurich it was very tough for him. The Western media saw to it and Platini was unsporting in asking him three times to step down.

"The man has done a lot for FIFA. His legacy will be all over the world, even in England and Germany where they have all benefited from the aid he has created. For Africa he was always there, he was always caring."

WILMAR VALDEZ, URUGUAYAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT OF SOUTH AMERICA'S CONMEBOL CONFEDERATION:

"It's an incomprehensible decision. He was very certain he could continue. It is clear that someone important got to him in the last few hours for him to make a decision of this kind."

RENHARD RAUBALL, PRESIDENT OF GERMANY'S BUNDESLIGA

"This is a good day for world football. Sepp Blatter has done FIFA a great service by resigning. All who seriously advocate a reform of FIFA, must now contribute constructive proposals for the unity of football. Credibility and transparency have to come first.

"As soon as possible, viable solutions for the post-Sepp Blatter period must be put on the table in terms of content, structure and personnel. Because it is also clear: all problems are far from being solved with the resignation alone."