Outgoing FIFA President Sepp Blatter is being investigated by US authorities probing the corruption scandal engulfing the organisation, according to reports.
Mr Blatter shocked football when he announced his resignation on Tuesday, just days after being re-elected for a fifth term as the head of world football's governing body. Sources familiar with the probe have told US broadcaster ABC News that Mr Blatter is being investigated by FBI and US prosecutors.
In addition, several US officials speaking on condition of anonymity told the New York Times they are hoping to build a case against Mr Blatter by earning the co-operation of some of the officials who have already been indicted over alleged bribes worth more than $150m. As part of the US investigation, seven FIFA officials were arrested in Zurich last Wednesday, sparking the worst crisis in the organisation's history.
A source told ABC: "Now that people are going to want to save themselves, there's probably a race to see who will flip on (Blatter) first."
The Swiss authorities have said Mr Blatter is not a part of their enquiries, and the 79-year-old has always denied any wrongdoing.
The news of Mr Blatter's departure came at a hastily arranged news conference in which he announced he would leave within months and called for a new election to appoint his successor.
Mr Blatter said: "FIFA needs profound restructuring. I decided to stand again to be elected because I was convinced it was the best option for football. Although the members of FIFA gave me a new mandate, this mandate does not seem to be supported by everyone in the world."
One official said the election of a replacement might not take place until at least December. In the interim period Mr Blatter promised to "focus on driving far-reaching, fundamental reforms that transcend our previous efforts".
Sponsors who raised concerns over the allegations responded positively to Mr Blatter's resignation, as did his critics, who had called on him to go before Friday's presidential vote.
The investigation closed in on Mr Blatter on Tuesday, when FIFA denied that his right-hand man, Secretary General Jerome Valcke, was implicated in a $10m payment relating to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The South African Football Association has dismissed the allegations as "baseless and untested".
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