Jerome Valcke, secretary general of Fifa, has said he is "beyond reproach" and will not stand down.
President Sepp Blatter stood down yesterday after revelations that football's governing body had made a transfer of $10 million earmarked for the 2010 World Cup into the bank account of Jack Warner, the former Fifa vice-president who resigned under investigation in 2011.
The payment had come after a letter from the South African FA addressed to Valcke that requested Fifa make the arrangements. South African officials rejected allegations of bribery.
In an interview with France Info radio Valcke said: "I have no reason to say that I shouldn't remain secretary general regarding what's happened in the last days, because I have no responsibility."
"I'm beyond reproach and I certainly don't feel guilty. So I don't even have to justify that I'm innocent."
Valcke said that it would be the decision of Blatter's successor as to whether he would continue in his role of secretary general.
