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Blatter: Scandal Brings 'Shame And Humiliation'

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has opened world football's congress - hours after refusing a request by UEFA to step down.

It is the first time he has been seen in public since the organisation he heads was mired in scandal after it was involved in two separate corruption investigations.

Mr Blatter, who admitted there would be "more bad news" to come, said: "You will agree with me, these are unprecedented and difficult times for FIFA.

"They demand action and change from us all. It has to stop here and now.

"The events of yesterday have cast a long shadow over football and over this week's congress.

"Actions of individuals, if proven, bring shame and humiliation on football, and demand action and change from us all.

"We cannot allow the reputation of football and FIFA to be dragged through the mud any longer. It has to stop here and now.

"I know many people hold me ultimately responsible for the actions and reputation of the global football community, whether it is a decision for the hosting of a World Cup or a corruption scandal.

"We, or I, cannot monitor everyone all of the time. But it must fall to me to bear the responsibility for the reputation and wellbeing of our organisation, and find a way to fix things."

Mr Blatter was speaking after saying he intends to run for president for a fifth term despite a call by UEFA head Michel Platini for him to quit.

Mr Platini earlier said UEFA could quit FIFA and European teams may not take part in some tournaments including the World Cup if action is not taken to address the alleged corruption.

The European football body decided it would not boycott the congress but is supporting Mr Blatter's opponent Prince Ali bin al Hussein of Jordan in the presidential race.

The vote for president takes place on Friday.

Mr Blatter opened the congress after Swiss police confirmed they will be questioning 10 FIFA executives over the decision to award World Cups to Russia and Qatar, and sponsors expressed serious concerns over a corruption scandal engulfing the governing body.

After Mr Blatter's speech, the United Nations said it was reviewing its partnerships with FIFA.

On Wednesday, seven senior FIFA officials were arrested in an early morning raid on their five-star hotel in Zurich as part of an FBI and US Department of Justice investigation into 24-year £96m ($150m) bribery racket.

Two of them, Jeffrey Webb and Eduardo Li, were "provisionally dismissed" by CONCACAF, football's governing body for North America on Thursday evening.

The British member of FIFA's executive committee, former Manchester United CEO David Gill, said earlier he would resign from the body, where he is a vice president, if Mr Blatter is re-elected.

Mr Platini said he had held the private conversation with Mr Blatter because he regarded him as a friend but had urged Mr Blatter to step down because he was giving FIFA a "terrible image".

He said the FIFA president had told him he could not stand down because the congress was about to start.

Mr Platini said: "I was very clear, I told him that I would have liked to have told him this among the two of us.

"I'm saying this with sadness and tears in my eyes, but there have been too many scandals, FIFA doesn't deserve to be treated that way."

David Cameron has said he welcomes the investigation in world football's controlling body, tweeting: "I welcome the probe into allegations of FIFA corruption and bribery, and support the FA's call for new leadership and reform."

Vladimir Putin, President of Russia - where the World Cup is being held in 2018 - has said the corruption allegations are part of American meddling and an attempt to take away the contest from his country .