The Commissioner with responsibility for sport, Androulla Vassiliou, has voiced the EU executive’s “concerns” about allegations of corruption in the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), saying it had to be “above suspicion”.

“The situation at FIFA is a concern for many of us,” she told AFP,on 31 May, while adding that she has “confidence” in the investigation under way. “Football and sport in general need good leadership, above suspicion,” insisted the commissioner.

Vassiliou refused to comment on whether the election of FIFA’s president the following day should be delayed. “It’s for FIFA members to decide” whether the election should be postponed, she said.

Outgoing FIFA President, Swiss national Joseph Blatter, is the only candidate. He is set to be re-elected for a fourth and last term, as the world football body faces accusations of corruption and is undermined by internal probes.