FIFA President Sepp Blatter said corruption scandals within the world soccer organization have brought shame and humiliation on the sport.
Mr. Blatter spoke Thursday at the opening of the FIFA Congress in Zurich, Switzerland. He was speaking publicly for the first time since U.S. and Swiss officials announced major corruption investigations of the organization.
Meanwhile, two major European football associations called on Mr. Blatter to resign, ahead of the organization’s presidential elections planned for Friday. UK Prime Minister David Cameron also supported calls for Sepp Blatter to step down.
Major FIFA sponsors like Visa and Coca-Cola are calling for FIFA to make major changes within the organization. The United Nations is also reviewing its partnerships with FIFA following allegations of widespread corruption, a U.N. spokesman said Thursday.
Seven high-ranking current and former FIFA officials were arrested Wednesday.
