Sepp Blatter has insisted that FIFA is not corrupt and claims he is leaving his position as president, in order to protect the world football governing body.
The 79-year-old has been at the helm of affairs since 1998, with his tenure tainted with allegations of bribery and corruption.
Blatter won a fifth term in June, but announced a few days later, that he was stepping down from the position, after nine FIFA officials were indicted on charges of racketeering, conspiracy and corruption.
A new president is expected to emerge in February 2016, but Blatter is adamant that FIFA’s image has not been smeared.
“That’s not true, this has been created. The institution is not corrupt – there is no corruption in football,” he told BBC Sport.
“There is corruption with individuals, there is not a general organised corruption.
“It is with people, the institution Fifa is not corrupt. It’s not the institution, that’s why I can’t understand why the world’s media say Fifa is corrupt.”
On the reason why he stepped down, Blatter added: “I did it because I wanted to protect FIFA. I can protect myself. I am strong enough.
“I know what I have done, what I have not done, I have my conscience and I know I’m an honest man.
“I am clean. I am not a worried man.”
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