Blatter chairs crisis meeting as FIFA execs quizzed over World Cup 2018/2022 votes

Sepp Blatter has chaired a crisis meeting with football leaders in Zurich, amid growing calls for him to resign as FIFA president. He called together representatives from FIFA’s six regions - including Michel Platini, the head of UEFA - on Thursday morning. The emergency talks came as Swiss police confirmed they will be questioning 10 FIFA executives over the decision to award World Cups to Russia and Qatar and sponsors expressed their serious concerns over the corruption scandal. Blatter has remained out of the public eye for two days - missing three scheduled appearances.

President Blatter apologises for not being able to come today because of the turbulences you have heard about… he has to fulfil his duties as President managing the situation, which are probably more important.

Jiri Dvorak, special adviser to FIFA’s medical committee

But the 79-year-old is expected to appear at the opening ceremony for the FIFA Congress later this afternoon. On Friday, the embattled leader will be standing for re-election as FIFA president but UEFA, which represents European football associations, has called for the election to be postponed by six months - amid speculation that it will boycott the Congress. However, the Confederation of African Football has expressed its opposition to the vote being delayed. Swiss authorities have claimed there are currently no plans to question Blatter, as their investigation into money laundering and corruption allegations against the football governing body continues.

Let me be clear: such misconduct has no place in football and we will ensure that those who engage in it are put out of the game.

Sepp Blatter

Sports FIFA execs