Sepp Blatter out to rid match-fixing "scourge"

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has claimed that the football governing bodies are united to stamp out match-fixing, which is "undermining" the game.

The 76-year-old praised FIFA's current system, which monitors suspected illegal betting with the help of international police force Interpol, but has admitted that the "scourge" of match-fixing remains.

"There is something that is new and also concerns the region where we are and that is illegal betting and this leads to match-rigging," Blatter told the UEFA Congress in Istanbul.

"I am very happy that together with UEFA and the other confederations and the early warning system we have been working for one year very closely with Interpol. We are working together against the scourge of match-rigging which is undermining our sport.

"FIFA, UEFA and all the other confederations are not responsible for all the evils besetting our world but we must see to it that we stay alert."

Blatter also confirmed that all players involved in international matches from September will be given insurance cover.