English FA calls for FIFA election postponement

Published May. 31, 2011 6:44 a.m. ET

foxsports

The English Football Association has called on FIFA to postpone its presidential election in the wake of the bribery scandal that led to Sepp Blatter's only challenger withdrawing.

The FA had already said it was abstaining before the allegations emerged that led to presidential candidate Mohamed bin Hammam and fellow FIFA executive committee member Jack Warner being suspended.

FA chairman David Bernstein said in a statement Tuesday he wants a delay to the election so ''any alternative reforming candidate could have the opportunity to stand'' against 13-year incumbent Blatter.

Bernstein says he is concerned ''about the lack of transparency and accountability within the organization.''

He is calling on FIFA and other associations to back the FA's call to ''postpone the election and give credibility to this process.''