Blatter receives standing ovation in Zurich

Sepp Blatter. Photo / AP.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has received a standing ovation that lasted several minutes at the world soccer governing body's headquarters in Zurich.

The 79-year-old Swiss, who announced on Tuesday his intention to step down just four days after being re-elected for a fifth term, was said to be emotional while giving a speech to some 400 members of staff on Wednesday.

"He more or less said what he'd already said (on Tuesday) to the press," said a source.

"He was just normal, expressing himself to the FIFA staff. There was a long ovation lasting several minutes and Mr Blatter was emotional, although not on the brink of tears."

Blatter's resignation came amid a new set of corruption accusations against FIFA officials on Tuesday, following the arrest of seven senior FIFA figures last week.

An extraordinary congress is due to be held between December and March to decide a replacement for Blatter, who was only voted back into the office he has held for 17 years on Friday.

The 79-year-old's resignation on Tuesday came only hours after the New York Times published corruption allegations against FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke.

The Frenchman is accused of being responsible for a US$10 million (A$12.85 million) payment made to former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner.

FIFA denies any wrong-doing by Valcke.

-AAP