Delaney ‘would love’ if Blatter was defeated

Chief executive of the Football Association of Ireland, John Delaney, is in Zurich for today’s FIFA presidential election.

Embattled incumbent president Sepp Blatter has denied responsibility for the corruption scandal engulfing world football's governing body, and is standing for

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John Delaney was speaking in Zurich today.

The organisation is in turmoil, after 14 people - including top FIFA officials - were arrested on corruption charges.

His only challenger is Prince Ali bin Hussein of Jordan, with a result in the vote due this afternoon.

Delaney says it is time for a change and hopes Blatter is defeated.

"Well I think it's well known the Republic of Ireland will be voting for Prince Ali - it's time for a change" he said.

"Blatter has presided over, really, a farce - and the events of the last couple of days have only crystallised my views.”

"I mean the last number of years he's been running FIFA there's been weekly problems, monthly problems - and I hope he gets defeated today,” he added.

"I think he'll win, but I would love if he was defeated.”

Sepp Blatter is pushing ahead with the FIFA presidential election.

Speaking this morning, Blatter appealed for unity and a team spirit to move past the corruption scandal.

"Today I'm appealing to unity and to team spirit so we can move forward together" he said.

"It may not always be easy, but it is for this reason that we are here together today - and we are here together to tackle the problems that have been created" he added.