FA To Abstain From Fifa Presidency Ballot

The English FA will abstain in the vote for the presidency of Fifa, it has been revealed.

With the ballot scheduled for June 1, the FA's decision to opt out will be seen as a direct protest against the rejection of England's 2018 World Cup bid.

Current incumbent Sepp Blatter is being challenged by Qatar's Mohamed Bin Hammam in the elections for the head of football's world governing body.

But amid widespread claims of corruption within Fifa's executive committee - which decide on World Cup host countries - the FA will not back either man.

FA chairman David Bernstein said: "There are a well-reported range of issues both recent and current which, in the view of the FA board, make it difficult to support either candidate.

"The FA values its relationships with its international football partners extremely highly.

"We are determined to play an active and influential role through our representation within both UEFA and FIFA.

"We will continue to work hard to bring about any changes we think would benefit all of international football."

:: Click here to read about Sky's campaign for a televised debate between the two Fifa presidential candidates.

:: Click here to sign a petition in support of the campaign.