Bullish Sepp Blatter refuses to accept responsibility for FIFA crisis

Seven football officials were arrested in Zurich on Wednesday and detained pending extradition to the United States over suspected corruption at FIFA, the Swiss Federal Office of Justice (FCOJ) said in a statement.

14 people have been charged by the US authorities with racketeering, fraud and money laundering.

The New York Times said they were high-ranking FIFA officials and were in Switzerland for the FIFA Congress where incumbent Mr Blatter faces a challenge from Jordan's Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein in the presidential election.

"I know a lot of people hold me responsible for the actions and reputations of the global football community, whether it is the decision of hosting a World Cup or a corruption scandal,” said Blatter to the FIFA congress in Zurich.

“We, or I, cannot monitor everyone all of the time. If people want to do wrong, they will also try to hide it. But it must also fall to me to be responsible for the reputation of our entire organization, and to find a way to fix things.

“I will not allow the actions of a few to damage the reputation of FIFA.

“We cannot allow the reputation of FIFA to be dragged through the mud any longer. It has to stop here and now,” said Blatter to FIFA's annual congress ahead of the vote that could see him win a fifth term as president on Friday."

Blatter has held his position for 17 years. He is 79, but has no plans to step aside despite the request of UEFA president Michel Platini ealier on Thursday for him to quit.

"The events of yesterday have cast a long shadow over football, and over this week’s Congress," said Blatter.

"The actions of individuals, if proven, bring shame and humiliation on football and demand reaction from us all.”