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Blatter warns of 'more bad news' for tainted FIFA

Updated: 2015-05-29 11:24
(Xinhua)

Blatter warns of 'more bad news' for tainted FIFA

UEFA President Michel Platini speaks during a press conference prior to the 65th FIFA Congress on May 28, 2015 in Zurich.  [Photo/Agencies]

The seven arrested in Zurich are among 14 people accused by US authorities of taking more than $150 million in bribes.

"Today I have come to ask you to quit FIFA, to resign from FIFA, to leave FIFA because its image is bad and we can no longer go on like this," Platini said he told Blatter in front of the other presidents.

Blatter only replied in a private conversation after. "He told me: 'Michel we know each other well, but it's too late. I cannot leave today when the Congress starts this afternoon."

Blatter remained defiant despite mounting pressure over the scandals.

Credit card giant Visa said it would "reassess" its sponsorship if FIFA does not clean up the sport.

Unless FIFA rebuilds a corporate culture with "strong ethical practices" at its heart, "we have informed them that we will reassess our sponsorship," Visa said.

Coca-Cola, Adidas, McDonald's and Budweiser also spoke out against the corruption scandal while the United Nations said it was reviewing its cooperations accords with FIFA.

Even International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said in front of Blatter that FIFA must change.

"I would very much like to encourage you to continue and strengthen your co-operation with the relevant authorities to shed full light on the concerned methods and to take all necessary measures to address such grave allegations," Bach told the FIFA opening ceremony.

Blatter has not been personally implicated in the scandals and Swiss authorities said there were no immediate plans to question him.

The spotlight now moves to Friday's vote when Blatter remains the favourite to extend his 17-year-old rule over the world's most popular sport.

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