31 May 2011

FIFA president denies crisis

5:57 am on 31 May 2011

FIFA's embattled president Sepp Blatter has denied football's governing body in crisis, insisting his organisation will solve any "difficulties" internally.

Blatter, who is due to stand unopposed on Thursday for a fourth and final four year term as president, has been dogged by corruption allegations since the vote last year to stage the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, leading to widespread calls for reform.

Blatter said on Monday there were no issues with the process to award the tournaments to Russia and Qatar respectively.

The 75 year old Swiss also said there was no case to answer against four FIFA executive committee members accused of corruption during a British parliamentary hearing earlier this month.