Senior figures within FIFA are urging president Sepp Blatter to award compensation to Keith Cooper, who was unceremoniously sacked as communications director of football’s world governing body after the World Cup.

FIFA today admitted mistakes had been made in their World Cup ticket system and that many seats had been over-priced.

Sepp Blatter was in defiant mood today even though he faces allegations of financial mismanagement just days before he stands for re-election as FIFA President.

Sepp Blatter today fended off the latest attack on his FIFA presidency by insisting he has been the victim of ‘‘months of relentless and systematic attacks’’.

FIFA stands at a crossroads today after the highest-ranking ‘civil servant’ in world football’s governing body claimed he had uncovered evidence of criminal corruption within the organisation.