MICHEL PLATINI ASKED BLATTER TO RESIGN, THE FIFA CONGRESS OR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, OR BOTH, COULD BE POSTPONED
Embattled FIFA president Sepp Blatter refused a request from the head of European football to step aside, as he faced mounting pressure from sponsors and politicians following the corruption scandal engulfing the sport's governing body.
UEFA chief Michel Platini said he told Blatter to step down as "there have been too many scandals"."I asked him to resign: enough is enough, Sepp. He listened to me but he told me it is too late," Platini told a press conference.
"I'm saying this with sadness and tears in my eyes, but there have been too many scandals. FIFA doesn't deserve to be treated this way."
Speaking publicly for the first time since the crisis began early on Wednesday morning, Blatter resisted calls to resign.
"The events of yesterday have cast a long shadow over football and this Congress," he said in his opening speech to FIFA's annual Congress in Zurich.
Blatter faces vote on leadership today; Australia to vote for challenger
Blatter's leadership will be put to the test later today, when the FIFA Congress votes in a presidential election.
The 79-year-old Swiss is seeking a fifth term in office and his only rival for the job is Jordan's Prince Ali bin al-Hussein.
Asked if he realistically believed that Blatter could lose Friday's vote, Platini replied: "I think he can be beaten, yes. Before yesterday no, but after what happened yesterday, yes. Enough is enough. I think there will be a lot of changes".
Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy flew in to Zurich yesterday, and the Australian governing body said it would vote for Prince Ali.
"FFA believes that profound change within FIFA is needed as soon as possible to address issues of governance and transparency," Lowy was quoted as saying.
"This belief will be reflected when Australia casts its vote in the presidential election, should it proceed on Friday in Zurich.
"The board of FFA has reviewed the manifesto for change proposed by Prince Ali bin al-Hussein and believes it provides the basis for a fresh start for FIFA."
The Asian and African confederations backed Blatter and said the election should go ahead.
The 79-year-old Swiss is seeking a fifth term in office and his only rival for the job is Jordan's Prince Ali bin al-Hussein.
Asked if he realistically believed that Blatter could lose Friday's vote, Platini replied: "I think he can be beaten, yes. Before yesterday no, but after what happened yesterday, yes. Enough is enough. I think there will be a lot of changes".
Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy flew in to Zurich yesterday, and the Australian governing body said it would vote for Prince Ali.
"FFA believes that profound change within FIFA is needed as soon as possible to address issues of governance and transparency," Lowy was quoted as saying.
"This belief will be reflected when Australia casts its vote in the presidential election, should it proceed on Friday in Zurich.
"The board of FFA has reviewed the manifesto for change proposed by Prince Ali bin al-Hussein and believes it provides the basis for a fresh start for FIFA."
The Asian and African confederations backed Blatter and said the election should go ahead.