European football associations are urging FIFA president Sepp Blatter to quit next year because of the damage corruption allegations have inflicted on football's governing body.  Published reports have claimed that the process to give the World Cup to Qatar in 2022 was riddled with bribes and wrongful influence.

For two consecutive weekends, the Sunday Times of London reported on documents that purport to show that disgraced Qatari football official Mohamed Bin Hammam made illegal payments to football officials in return for their support for Qatar’s successful World Cup bid.  Blatter blamed the allegations on ‘racism’, which didn’t go over well.

“These allegations need to be properly investigated and properly answered,” said Greg Dyke, chairman of the English FA.  “Mr. Blatter, many of us are deeply troubled by your reaction to these allegations.”

“Few people still take FIFA seriously and, however you look at it, Blatter is mainly responsible,” said Michael van Praag, leader of the Dutch Football Association.  “FIFA’s image has deteriorated because of everything that's happened in recent years.  People link FIFA to corruption and bribery and all kinds of old boy's networks.”