Sepp Blatter says it feels "liberating" to step down as Fifa president and insists that there is no chance of him remaining in charge of football's world governing body.
Blatter won a fifth term as Fifa chief in May before announcing that he will step down from the role four days later, amid the scandal that saw past and present officials indicted on charges of racketeering, conspiracy and corruption.
There has since been speculation that Blatter could try to remain in power after the 79-year-old stated: "I have not resigned, rather I am offering my mandate at an extraordinary congress."
However, Blatter has since insisted his time at the helm of the organisation will come to an end when elections take place at Fifa's Extraordinary Congress, which is expected to take place in early 2016.
"I am not a candidate, but the elected president," Blatter told Walliser Bote. "I want to hand Fifa over in good condition.
"The decision to go is definitely liberating. For Fifa and for myself.
"I am still president and fully capable of acting. Fifa and football have been the most important part of my life for 40 years. So I will use all my strength and inspiration up to my last working day to steer the ship back into the safe harbour."
The Swiss has also admitted that pressure from sponsors played a role in his decision.
"Leaving was the only way to take the pressure off of Fifa and my employees, including pressure from the sponsors. To remove Fifa and me personally from the line of fire."
The Executive Committee is set to choose an election date at a meeting on July 20.
