(CNN) -- The powerful English Football Association called on world soccer's governing body Tuesday to delay presidential elections amid an ethics scandal rumbling through the highest levels of the game.
"This has been a very damaging time for the reputation of FIFA and therefore the whole of football," FA president David Bernstein said.
His call came on the heels of a defiant press conference by the head of FIFA, Sepp Blatter, who is now running unopposed for re-election after his only rival was suspended over ethics concerns.
Blatter shrugged off allegations of corruption within FIFA Monday and said he would press ahead with his bid to be re-elected as president of football's world governing body for the fourth time.
Mohamed Bin Hammam of Qatar, the only person standing against him, was suspended by the FIFA ethics committee Sunday, along with fellow leading official Jack Warner.
CNN
