TheCable

FIFA president, Sepp Blatter, has dismissed a joint invitation from the BBC and Sky to take part in a televised debate with his rivals for the May election.

According to The Guardian of UK, Sky and the BBC wrote to Blatter and his three rivals – Luis Figo, Ali bin al-Hussein and Michael van Praag – on a possibility of partaking in a televised debate.

The others accepted the invitation but insisted all candidates must take part in it as a condition of their participation.

Blatter didn’t buy into the idea and even failed to respond via letter, instead asking an official to telephone the broadcasters to relay his decision.

Greg Dyke, the English FA chairman, said he would “love to see a leaders’ debate” and offered to host it at Wembley.

“All three rival candidates were quick to back the plan, but Blatter has, perhaps unsurprisingly, refused to take part when it made the invitation,” he said.

“We believe this will present an unprecedented opportunity for the candidates to set out their plans and communicate directly with fans from around the world.

“We hope for a positive response from all four candidates.”

The proposal stated that fans from all 209 FIFA members are expected to submit questions for the candidates via social media or the internet.

The FIFA presidential election is due to take place on May 29 in Zurich.