FIFA won't reform, says university expert

Professor Graham Brooks, a specialist in sport corruption, said football's governing body needed root and branch change.

The call came as culture secretary John Whittingdale insisted England would be ready to host the 2022 World Cup if it was stripped from Qatar.

Both the 2018 tournament in Russia and 2022 are being investigated for possible corruption by Swiss and US authorities.

However, under Fifa rules, the cup cannot be held on the same continent twice in a row, so if Russia kept 2018 then England could not host in 2022.

Fifa will be 'resistant to change,' Professor Brooks said, particularly from countries and people who benefitted from Blatter's reign.

And he warned that rejoicing at Blatter's downfall would be premature unless Fifa was radically reformed.

Professor Brooks said: "It is too early to celebrate the temporary demise of Sepp Blatter, as he made it clear that he will still be around to help choose his successor.

"The majority of their representatives voted for Sepp Blatter to continue as president, even as members were arrested. It appears then, that FIFA is incapable of reform."

Professors Brooks said the organisation needed to implement a host of changes, including limited presidential terms, employing someone responsible for anti-corruption and publishing all expenditure.

External audits of accounts, pursuing criminal action if associations break the law and and demanding that sponsors have a fraud strategy in place were also suggested.

The expert added: "FIFA needs a change of culture and a robust strategy to regain credibility. It should not be the news, as it has been.

"It should simply focus on organising major football tournaments."