Scandal can aid Fifa's recovery, says interim president

As the Swiss justice ministry freeze millions of Swiss francs in connection with Fifa, the 69-year-old feels allegations of bribery and corruption can aid its recovery.

Interim Fifa president Issa Hayatou believes the ongoing criminal investigation engulfing world football's governing body will assist its recovery.

Fifa has been reeling for months as it faces allegations of corruption, with president Sepp Blatter and vice-president Michel Platini both suspended.

However, Hayatou believes the scandal can be of benefit to the organisation in the long run, forcing it to become more transparent and accountable.

"We saw the authorities acting as a part of their investigations into wrongdoing in football," Hayatou said in an open letter published by Fifa Weekly.

"Fifa remains in full support of these actions. They are a vital part of our painful journey to repair Fifa's image and to build a professional and ethical organisation that is fit for purpose.

"These two processes – our reforms and the ongoing investigation – are necessary for Fifa's recovery. On the one hand, we are building a new framework strong enough to deter future wrongdoing.

"On the other hand, we are working with the authorities to support their investigations into wrongdoing under the old system.

"It is only through this two-sided process that we can guarantee that Fifa will recover fully from the crisis.

"We took a big step forward last week [in approving reforms], but it will take more than a vote on reforms to fix the problems we have faced. It will take a change of culture from the top to bottom."

His comments come after the Swiss justice ministry froze millions of Swiss francs in connection with Fifa.

"US authorities asked for documents related to 50 accounts at different banks, through which corruption money is supposed to have transited," said Ministry spokesman Folco Galli.

Although Galli would not confirm the amount of money frozen, he said a "high double-digit million amount" had been frozen following the US request, thought to be between $50-101million.

Blatter's hearing on Thursday lasted almost eight hours, but the Swiss Fifa president emerged in a buoyant mood, with his lawyers stating they expected Blatter's name to be cleared.