FIFA chief Domenico Scala: 'Sepp Blatter must not rethink resignation decision'

FIFA's audit and ethics committee chairman Domenico Scala has urged Sepp Blatter to go through with his decision to step down as president of the scandal-hit organisation.

Reports emerged earlier today suggesting that the Swiss, who won a fifth term in charge of football's world governing body before stepping down amid corruption claims earlier this month, could make a dramatic U-turn and remain at the helm.

Blatter is due to leave office once a replacement is selected in December, although Swiss paper Schweiz am Sonntag suggests that the 79-year-old is no longer committed to his resignation plans.

However, a former special advisor to the controversial figure has insisted that Blatter simply must step aside.

"For me, the reforms are the central topic," Scala said in a short statement. "That is why I think it is clearly indispensable to follow through with the initiated process of president's change as it has been announced."

An election to appoint a successor to Blatter, should he officially leave the role he has occupied since 1998, is likely to take place on December 16.