FIFA chief Blatter urged to stand down

Top European football officials publicly called on Sepp Blatter to end his reign as FIFA president amid accusations of corruption against Qatar’s 2022 World Cup bid. Michael van Praag, head of the Dutch football association, said Blatter should quit when his term ends next year. A similar demand was made by David Gill, vice-chairman of England’s Football Association, Blatter, 78, officially opened FIFA’s annual congress at a gala evening in Sao Paulo without mentioning the attacks or corruption controversy.  He is expected to use the congress to announce on Wednesday that he will seek a new four year term.

‘Tonight we are in a festive mood because let’s say the discussions and all of what’s linked with FIFA and is so important nowadays, we will discuss it tomorrow,’ Blatter said. The corruption allegations and criticism of Blatter have threatened to further taint the opening of the latest World Cup in Sao Paulo on Thursday. Brazil is already struggling with protests over the cost of the event.Van Praag challenged Blatter when he appeared before a closed meeting of the European confederation, UEFA. Some federations are angry because Blatter said in 2011 when he secured his latest term that it would be his last.