Blatter hangs tough

Sepp Blatter, president of Fifa, the governing body for world football, has condemned the "action of individuals" for bringing "shame and humiliation" on the sport in an unfolding corruption scandal.

But he asserted during a speech in Zurich on Thursday that although many held him "ultimately responsible" for the football community, he could "not monitor everyone all of the time".

He was speaking at the opening of Fifa's congress, a day after seven top officials were held in a US inquiry.

Mr Blatter is seeking re-election as president on Friday.

Many of Fifa's major sponsors have expressed concern over twin corruption investigations by both the US and Swiss authorities.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Fifa congress in Zurich, Mr Blatter said the events of the week had "cast a long shadow over football". He said: "The actions of individuals bring shame and humiliation on football and demand action and change from us all.

Mr Blatter admitted the "next few months will not be easy - I am sure bad news will follow" but that with Friday's vote, "we have the opportunity to begin on what will be a long and difficult road to rebuilding trust".

Resignation calls

Blatter, a four-term president of Fifa, had faced calls to resign, including from UK PM David Cameron and Michel Platini, the head of European football's governing body, Uefa.

Mr Platini had earlier taken part in an emergency meeting with other Fifa confederation heads and Mr Blatter.

Mr Platini said he had asked Mr Blatter "as a friend" to resign, saying: "I have had enough - enough is enough, too much is too much."

The president refused, and the other confederations agreed with him that Friday's vote, in which Mr Blatter is seeking a fifth term, should go ahead.

Some of the 14 people indicted in the US investigation are accused of receiving bribes to influence the outcome of bids to stage football tournaments, such as the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and the 2016 Copa America in the US.

SOURCE: BBC