FIFA scandal: Platini asks Blatter to resign

The head of UEFA, Michel Platini, has confirmed that he asked Sepp Blatter to resign as FIFA president this morning - but that Blatter refused to do so.

Speaking at a press conference in Zurich, Platini confirmed that he had urged the embattled leader to step down because he was giving FIFA a "terrible image".

Blatter, however, said it was "too late" to do so, as the FIFA Congress is due to begin later this afternoon. The UEFA boss, who represents the European football associations, told reporters "people have had enough" - and appealed for other confederations to vote for Blatter's only opponent, Prince Ali bin al Hussein of Jordan, in the FIFA presidential election on Friday.

"Tomorrow, when it comes to the election of the president, a very, very, very big number of European associations will vote for Prince Ali," Platini said.

Platini claimed that he had wanted to ask Blatter for his resignation "man to man, face to face" during a crisis meeting with football leaders in Zurich. However, the FIFA president invited him to air his grievances in front of other confederation leaders.

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

"There have been too many scandals that have shaken up the world of football, especially FIFA - and FIFA doesn't deserve to be treated this way. It's the mother of football, and you cannot attack the mother of football this way."

The emergency talks, where UEFA called for Blatter's resignation, 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 have expressed concerns over a corruption scandal engulfing the governing body.

Blatter has remained out of the public eye for two days - missing three scheduled appearances, but he is expected to appear at the opening ceremony for the FIFA Congress later this afternoon. His only opponent in tomorrow's presidential election, Prince Ali of Jordan, has received the backing of English FA chairman Greg Dyke - and the Prime Minister, David Cameron. Dyke has warned it would be impossible to rebuild trust in FIFA if Blatter remained at the helm.

"(Blatter) either has to go through a resignation, or he has to be outvoted, or we have to find a third way," he said.

David Gill, the former chief executive of Manchester United, has confirmed he will resign from FIFA's executive committee if Blatter is re-elected as president.

Although UEFA has ruled out boycotting the FIFA Congress, the confederation had wanted the presidential election to be postponed by six months. However, a source close to Prince Ali said he wanted the election to go ahead as scheduled, as he believes there is a "strong possibility" he can win.