17 years of deceit: The rise and fall of FIFA President Sepp Blatter

The light at the end of the tunnel is unmistakable as Sepp Blatter loosens his grip on world football.

The Swiss international shocked the football world Tuesday when he announced plans to step down as FIFA president, just days after winning a fifth term during last week's FIFA Congress.

His resignation came hours after the emergence of damaging evidence from 2008 which outlines FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke's transfer of $10 million from a FIFA account into one controlled by former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner.

The money was transferred into Warner's account in an effort to secure his support for South Africa's bid to host the 2010 World Cup, a New York Times report alleges. The transfer was a key part of the investigation that led to the arrest of several top FIFA officials two days before Blatter's re-election.

Here's a timeline of how Blatter became one of the most powerful, revered, and - eventually - hated figures in sports:

1998 - Blatter elected as Joao Havelange's successor

• Getting his first taste of power following a tight victory over Lennart Johansson, Blatter wins the right to become FIFA's eighth president after Joao Havelange's 24-year reign. Blatter worked under the Brazilian for 17 years, which led to speculation his victory was unjust.

2002 - Elected for 2nd term despite bribery accusations

• Blatter is re-elected for a second term following a scare that threatened to end his tenure when documents submitted to the Swiss authorities accused him of financial wrongdoing. He was also alleged to have paid the Somali Football Federation and Confederation of African Football $100,000 to vote for him during the 1998 election. Blatter's only challenger for the leadership role was Issa Hayatou, who was later accused of accepting $1.5 million in bribes to vote for Qatar as hosts of the 2022 World Cup.

2004 - Labelled as sexist following remarks about women's football

• In an attempt to grow women's football, Blatter had an unfortunate suggestion when he said females should ditch the baggy look and play in tight shorts. “Let the women play in more feminine clothes like they do in volleyball," he suggested. "They could, for example, have tighter shorts ... Female players are pretty, if you excuse me for saying so, and they already have some different rules to men - such as playing with a lighter ball."

2006 - FIFA gives Warner slap on the wrist following World Cup ticket scam

• Despite overwhelming evidence proving Jack Warner was the recipient of $1 million in profits from a scheme involving the re-sale of tickets to the 2006 World Cup in Germany, FIFA cleared the former Trinidad and Tobago football president of any wrongdoing.

2007 - Blatter re-elected for 3rd term

• The 2007 presidential election was a lock for the Swiss international as he ran unopposed and won a third term as FIFA president.

2010 - FIFA chooses Russia and Qatar to host 2018 and 2022 World Cups

• In what will be remembered as the accelerant that led to last week's bombshell of arrests - and Blatter's ultimate demise - FIFA controversially chooses Russia and Qatar to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, respectively, amid rampant speculation about the corrupt nature of the bidding process.

May 27, 2015 - Several top FIFA officials arrested in Zurich

• Two days before the 65th FIFA Congress, Swiss authorities - at the request of the U.S. Department of Justice - arrest 14 football officials and sports executives on charges of corruption, starting with a raid at a luxury hotel in Zurich.

May 29, 2015 - Blatter re-elected for 5th term

• Facing his first challenger since 2002, Blatter is named FIFA president after defeating Prince Ali bin Hussein in the first round of voting (133-73) before the Jordanian conceded victory prior to the required second round.

June 2, 2015 - Blatter resigns as FIFA president

• The world had no idea what was about to hit when FIFA hastily called a press conference at its Zurich headquarters, but it became evident as Blatter spoke his latest term as FIFA president would come to a premature end. The 79-year-old announced his plans to resign from the position, amid mounting pressure and fresh allegations, and that an extraordinary FIFA Congress will be assembled to determine the ninth president of the world football governing body.