Prince William backs FIFA vote delay

London, Jun 1: Britain's Prince William backed the English and Scottish football associations' call for today's (June 1) FIFA presidential election to be scrapped, his St James's Palace office confirmed.

The newly-married royal, who is also president of England's Football Association (FA), urged the under-fire organisation to demonstrate "transparency" in its fight against corruption claims, a palace spokesman said.

According to a palace statement, the prince was "fully supportive of the (English FA) chairman and the initiatives the FA has recommended.

"He considers the transparency of the international governing body to be integral to the good," added the statement.

Despite the prince's intervention, the two associations have garnered little support among other FIFA members and Blatter's coronation looked set to go ahead as planned on Wednesday.

England and Scotland's ruling bodies earlier claimed the ballot was no longer viable following the wave of bribery allegations which have rocked the organisation.

English FA chairman David Bernstein, who had earlier promised to abstain from the vote, said a postponement would allow for a credible reform candidate to run against incumbent Blatter.

AFP