Referring to a foot injury, Haye is offering Klitschko a rematch. But Vladimir's elder brother - Vitali - will probably go into the ring, against the British.
After his defeat, Hay complained of leg injury, which prevented him from fighting at full strength. "I was thinking to retire from box in October, when I'd get 31 years old.

I was hoping by that time I'd become the undisputed champion by beating Klitschko. Now I'm not able to speak with confidence about my future. I must think about it".
Thus, David Haye wants to meet Klitschko in the ring again, but with no injuries this time, "I knew how to defeat the Ukrainian, I saw my and the coaches' ideas can be implemented, but the problems with my right leg did not let me turn in the ring at full power.

And even with one healthy leg, I think, I looked well, but what if there were two? I definitely want a rematch, but I am not sure that Klitschko would risk again to go against me in the ring. "
Hay's recent thought was actually confirmed by Bente Berndt, the manager of the Klitschko brothers.

"We do not consider the possibility of organizing a rematch between Wladimir and Haye.The younger of the Klitschko brothers has to move on and go into the ring against other boxers, also."
But Vitali Klitschko, according to Bent, may meet Haye in the future: "The older Klitschko is interested about this fight". It is known that Haye has been driving the Ukrainian champions crazy for long, repeatedly stating that he was ready to beat them both.

Moreover, a few years ago, when negotiations for a similar match began, Haye appeared in public in a T-shirt adorned with his own image, and the two heads of the Klitschko brothers, which made the Ukrainians really furious.

For the ticket in the finals, Sharapova, will compete with a german Sabine Lisicki, who surpassed the ninth tournament racket, Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli.

The semi-finals of Wimbledon for the 62nd racket of the world was the best result in her career, and Maria becomes one of four of the strongest in the fourth time.

Previously, these tennis players have met only once - in the second round on super tournament in Miami in this year. Then the Russian woman easily won - 6-2, 6-0.

"It seems only yesterday, I was playing in the first round, but now I have the semifinal meeting - admitted Sharapova, who returned to professional tennis after a serious injury and complex operation.

- Honestly, I did not think about how far will go, I have focused attention on the games just. But, of course, I have a great chance to win again at Wimbledon. However, this wouldn't be easy. I have a meeting with a strong rival - Sabine Lisicki, who plays well on the grass. So, semifinal will be serious.”

"It seems only yesterday I was playing in the first round, but now I have the semifinal meeting - admitted Sharapova, who returned to professional tennis after a serious injury and complex operation.

- Honestly, I did not think about how far will go, I have focused attention on the games just. But, of course, I have a great chance to win again at Wimbledon. However, this wouldn't be easy. I have a meeting with a strong rival - Sabine Lisicki, who plays well on grass. So, semifinal will be serious.”

In the other semifinal will play a couple of Belarusian Victoria Azarenka and Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic. Of those who continue to fight for victory in the women's singles, only Sharapova has won Wimbledon - it happened in 2004.

The ethics committee also stated that former Fifa vice-president Jack Warner was "an accessory to corruption".

Warner resigned from his role on Monday and quit all football activities.

As a result, football's governing body dropped all investigations into Warner, adding that "the presumption of innocence is maintained".

However, the full report of the ethics committee headed by Namibian judge Petrus Damaseb said there was "comprehensive, convincing and overwhelming" proof that bribes had been paid to officials to support Bin Hammam's campaign for the Fifa presidency, and that Warner had facilitated this.

Both 68-year-old Warner, from Trinidad and Tobago, and Qatar's Bin Hammam, 62, were provisionally suspended on 29 May.

Bin Hammam withdrew as a candidate in the Fifa presidential race against Sepp Blatter on the morning of his ethics committee hearing on 29 May. Both Bin Hammam and Warner deny the allegations.

The 17-page Fifa report was faxed to Warner on 14 June. Three days later, he informed Fifa he was quitting.

The report obtained by the Press Association concludes that there was "compelling" evidence that Bin Hammam and Warner arranged a special meeting of the 25 members of the Caribbean Football Union [CFU] on 10 and 11 May in Trinidad and that, with their knowledge, cash gifts were handed over.

Statements from witnesses, contained in the report, said they were handed brown envelopes each containing 40,000 US dollars. One of the witnesses, Fred Lunn from the Bahamas, photographed the cash before returning it.

The document also stated that four witnesses claimed that Warner told the CFU delegates on 11 May that the "money for the 'gifts' allegedly distributed the day before had been apparently provided by Mr Bin Hammam".

Warner's evidence to the 29 May hearing is described as "mere self-serving declarations" and that he "failed to provide the Fifa ethics committee with a plausible explanation".

Bin Hammam said in a statement: "There is nothing I can say more than I deny the allegations and insist that I have not done anything wrong during the special Congress at Trinidad."

Damian Collins, the Tory MP who is campaigning for a reform of Fifa, believes the case against Warner should be re-opened.

"This makes Fifa's claim that Warner can be presumed innocent absolutely incredible," he said. "I believe Jack Warner should be made to answer these charges - it's not enough just for him to resign.

"This shows it was a big error of judgement by Sepp Blatter to call off the inquiry and cover this up.

"Fifa should also confirm Mohamed Bin Hammam should not similarly be allowed to resign in return for having the investigation dropped."

Arsenal begin with a match at Newcastle, while Chelsea, last season's runners-up, travel to Stoke and Liverpool host Sunderland.

Swansea's first ever Premier League match is at Manchester City, while QPR open with a home clash Bolton.

Norwich, back in the top flight after six years, travel to Wigan.

Elsewhere on the opening day, Tottenham and Everton meet at White Hart Lane, Fulham and Aston Villa face each other at Craven Cottage, while Blackburn host Wolves.

After facing West Brom, Manchester United play home games against Tottenham and Arsenal.

Of the sides that finished in the top four last season, Arsenal's is perhaps the toughest start.

Arsene Wenger's men follow up their opener at St James' Park with a home game against Liverpool before a trip to Old Trafford.

The game between Liverpool and Sunderland means Reds midfielder Jordan Henderson could get an immediate run-out against the team he signed from earlier this month in a £20m deal.

On 17 September, Manchester United host Chelsea, with other big games coming thick and fast the following month.

United visit Liverpool on 15 October, Manchester City travel to Old Trafford on 22 October and Chelsea host Arsenal on 29 October.

Opening weekend - Saturday 13 August

Blackburn v Wolves

Fulham v Aston Villa

Liverpool v Sunderland

Man City v Swansea

Newcastle v Arsenal

QPR v Bolton

Stoke v Chelsea

Tottenham v Everton

West Brom v Man Utd

Wigan v Norwich

Saturday 20 August

Arsenal v Liverpool

Aston Villa v Blackburn

Bolton v Man City

Chelsea v West Brom

Everton v QPR

Man Utd v Tottenham

Norwich v Stoke

Sunderland v Newcastle

Swansea v Wigan

Wolves v Fulham

Saturday 27 August

Aston Villa v Wolves

Blackburn v Everton

Chelsea v Norwich

Liverpool v Bolton

Man Utd v Arsenal

Newcastle v Fulham

Swansea v Sunderland

Tottenham v Man City

West Brom v Stoke

Wigan v QPR

-6: R McIlroy (NI)
-3: YE Yang (Kor), C Schwartzel (SA)
-2: S Garcia (Spa), R Palmer (US), L Oosthuizen (SA), K Kim (Kor), S Hend (Aus), A Rocha (Bra)
Selected others: -1: G McDowell (NI), R Rock (Eng)
Level: P Harrington (Ire), B Watson (US)
+1: S Lowry (Ire)
+2: E Els (SA), P Casey (Eng), M Laird (Sco), S Gallacher (Sco)
+3: L Donald (Eng), M Kaymer (Ger), J Rose (Eng), H Mahan (US), R Fowler (US), M Manassero (Ita), P Mickelson (US)
+4: L Westwood (Eng), I Poulter (Eng), D Johnson (US), S Stricker (US)

Rory McIlroy fired a stunning six-under 65 to lead the US Open by three shots after the first round at Congressional.

McIlroy, 22, bounced back from his Augusta aberration to head Masters winner Charl Schwartzel and 2009 USPGA champion YE Yang.

Sergio Garcia and Open champion Louis Oosthuizen were two under, while Graeme McDowell began his defence with a 70.

The world's top three players Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer carded 74, 74, 75.

Also at two under were American Ryan Palmer, Korea's Kyung-tae Kim, Australian Scott Hend and Brazil's Alexandre Rocha.

Phil Mickelson, a five-time US Open runner-up, was regularly in trouble and had to use all his powers of recovery on his 41st birthday to card 74.

But it was McIlroy's Maryland masterclass that dominated a sultry day near the US capital.

The Northern Irishman is still trying to shake off the tag as the man who blew the Masters after squandering a four-shot lead going into the final day with a closing 80. He also led the 2010 Open after a first-round 63 before amassing an 80.

Showing the sort of control that suggests his game is in the shape required to emulate countryman McDowell and land a maiden major title, McIlroy picked up shots on the 12th, 17th and 18th to reach the turn in a three-under-par 32.

Further birdies at the first and fourth took him into a two-shot lead at five under and he missed another very makeable birdie chance on the fourth, his 14th.

Another laser-guided iron from about 250 yards to 15ft set up an eagle chance on the sixth, and though he missed he settled for a tap-in birdie.

McIlroy missed his birdie putt from 30ft on the short seventh but parred his way home to lay down the gauntlet with the only bogey-free round of the day.

"I took the experience from Augusta, and I learned a lot from it," said McIlroy.

"I just need to keep it going. I played really good out there, didn't make any mistakes, which in a US Open is huge."

South African Schwartzel, who birdied the last four holes to win the Masters, went on another surge and picked up four shots in his last seven holes at Congressional.

Yang, who became the first Asian man to win a major when he beat Tiger Woods in the 2009 USPGA, birdied all four par threes in his 68.

"I've been playing more conservatively, less bonehead plays," said the 39-year-old Yang.

Spain's Garcia, who is still fighting his way back from a prolonged slump, bogeyed the last to join South African Oosthuizen.

"It was a nice start but there's still a long way to go. We haven't done anything yet," said Garcia.

Donald, 33, began brightly with birdies at the first two holes after starting from the short 10th in company with Westwood and USPGA champion Kaymer

But he leaked four bogeys in five holes and then double-bogeyed the 18th to turn in 39 before coming home in one under.

"We all struggled a bit and we couldn't get much momentum going," said Donald, who has won twice this season and finished in the top 10 in 15 of his last 16 tournaments.

"Three-over is not great but I know if I shoot something in the red I'll make good headway."

Westwood, who like Donald is seeking his first major title, made six bogeys and two birdies in his 75.

"I didn't swing it very well and you just don't get away with it at a US Open," said the Englishman.

"If we had played like the top three in the world it would have been more enjoyable for the people to watch, but none of us played well and we all just about got what we deserved."

McDowell began with a bogey at the first but redeemed himself immediately at the short second and picked up another shot on the sixth before parring his way home.

"It's a dream start and I'm very happy with it," said the Northern Irishman, who has admitted to feeling the burden of being the defending US Open champion over the past few months.

"I felt great. It felt like a regular major championship. It didn't feel like I was defending anything.

"I set myself some challenges this morning to go out and try to think well, try to go through my processes correctly, through my routines, and just be patient and enjoy the round. And I really accomplished those things."

England's Robert Rock did not have time for a practice round after he was delayed in the UK trying to get a US visa but went round in 70 for one under.

Three-time major champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland carded a level-par 71, while American world number six Matt Kuchar and Ireland's Shane Lowry took 72.

Ernie Els, who triumphed the last time the US Open was played at Congressional in 1997, carded 73 alongside England's Paul Casey and Scotland's Martin Laird and Stephen Gallacher.

Dustin Johnson, who blew a three-shot lead in the final round of last year's US Open, ended with a 75 playing alongside Mickelson and McIlroy.

Frenchman Gregory Havret, who finished runner-up last year, amassed a six-over 77 in his first start since the death of his father.

Williams has not played since being hospitalised with blood clots on her lung after cutting a foot following her fourth Wimbledon victory last year.

And her return in Eastbourne's Aegon International this week is a relief.

"I'm so excited to be back," she said. "I was on my death bed at one point - quite literally."

Ahead of her match against Tsvetana Pironkova, the world number 26 added: "At first I didn't appreciate that [the severity of the illness].

"At first people said it would be fine, it would be all right but it turned out to be a lot more serious.

"If it had been left two days later it could have been career-ending - or even worse. They told me I had several blood clots in both lungs. A lot of people die from that.

"It got to the stage where it felt like I could hardly breathe. Some days I didn't get out of bed at all. I just laid on a couch thinking 'why has this happened to me?'

"The second surgery was tough, more mentally tough than a lot of things I've been through - including my sister dying. It's why this is a comeback that's totally different from any other comeback.

"This has given me a whole new perspective on life and my career - and not taking anything for granted. I'm just taking one day at a time. I'm not preparing for today or for Wimbledon. I'm preparing for the rest of my career."

Williams, whose sister Venus started with a win at Eastbourne on Monday, returned to the practice court last month - but concedes she has no idea how she will fare when she gets back into WTA Tour action.

"I'm not quite sure how I'll feel until I play a match," said Serena. "I've been hitting seriously for about a month now, but before that I was not hitting every day.

"I wanted to play at Roland Garros [in the French Open] but that didn't work out. I don't usually play warm-ups for Wimbledon but I figured it would be smart to do so this time. And what better place to come to for that? I'm just here to do the best I can, but I'm also here not to lose."

In a post on Twitter, the England star said he was "delighted" with the result.

"Just to confirm to all my followers I have had a hair transplant. I was going bald at 25 why not," he tweeted.

The Manchester United striker said he had his treatment at a hair clinic on London's famous Harley Street.

He also asked his followers if anyone could recommend any good hair gel because his head was "still a bit bruised and swollen".

The footballer's wife, Coleen Rooney, also took to Twitter to confirm the news, making sure people knew it was his decision, not hers.

"Hiya!! Yes waynes had his hair done! His own decision not me asking him, like alot are saying!! Pleased for him and it will look great," she tweeted.

Meanwhile Manchester United and England teammate Rio Ferdinand joked: "Just don't go down the wearing a alice band route!! You'll be doing head&shoulders adverts soon! Hope its gone ok Good luck lad."
'Sensitive subject'

It is not the first time one of Rooney's teammates has teased him about his hair on Twitter.

On 7 May, Manchester United star Michael Owen tweeted: "How old are you in that photo? Your face looks like a 12 year olds but your hair looks like a 60 year old!".

"Easy mo u know that's a sensitive subject," was Rooney's response.

Rooney is the latest in a line of sports stars to have turned to treatment to beat baldness.

In 2005, ex-England cricketer Graham Gooch and former England rugby player Austin Healey appeared in adverts for an anti-hair loss laser treatment.

At the time, Advanced Hair Studios said both men, and Australian cricketer Shane Warne, were among 300,000 people worldwide who had taken up the laser therapy - or the company's patented strand-by-strand hair replacement procedure - although the Advertising Standards Authority later ruled the therapy's effectiveness had not been proved.

In 2008, former Monty Python star John Cleese also confirmed he had had a hair transplant, during a television interview with presenters Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan. 

England captain Andrew Strauss is eager to complete a series victory against Sri Lanka at Lord's in the second Test, which starts on Friday.

His side lead the three-match series 1-0 after Sri Lanka's dramatic second-innings collapse handed them victory by an innings and 14 runs in Cardiff.

Strauss' team have not lost a Test series since a 1-0 defeat by West Indies at the start of 2009.

"We're very determined to make it 2-0 and win the series now," said Strauss.

"We're pretty buoyant after the way we managed to get the victory at the end there in Cardiff but we're also aware that it's right back to square one again here at Lord's.

"It's not often you win a Test match in that manner - most of the Test matches you win come from three or four days of very hard work getting yourself in the position to win so we've got to get right back to square one here and I think the guys are excited to do that.

"I don't think any of us want to take our foot off the pedal now. We've got some early momentum in this series."

The victory in Cardiff was made the more remarkable because more than 15 hours of the match were lost to rain delays, along with Sri Lanka's solid first-innings total of 400.

But four wickets each for Chris Tremlett and Graeme Swann saw the tourists collapse from 33-2 to 82 all out after tea on the final day, their fifth worst ever total in Test cricket.

However, Strauss is expecting a stern riposte from Sri Lanka.

The 34-year-old drew on his own experiences in 2009 when England were subjected to a demoralising innings defeat by West Indies in Jamaica, only to hit back in the hastily arranged third Test at the Antigua Recreation Ground.

"I would be very determined to prove a point," said Strauss, who scored 20 in England's only innings in Cardiff.

"When you think back to Jamaica, when we were bowled out for 51, and we came out firing the next Test match.

"We expect that from Sri Lanka, they want to show they are better than they were on that last afternoon and we have to be conscious of patting ourselves on the back too much and thinking everything is rosy. We have to be pretty switched on."

Sri Lanka interim coach Stuart Law described the second-innings display in Cardiff as "embarrassing", attributing the collapse to pressure rather than being outclassed by their hosts.

"Suddenly you lose a few wickets and you're under pressure. It's amazing what pressure can do to you, it makes the mind think wrong decisions," said the Australian.

"We sat down for a good 40 minutes after the day's play and spoke about different aspects and ways of coming back."

The retirements of world record wicket-taker Muttiah Muralitharan, Lasith Malinga and Chaminda Vaas has left a huge vacuum in Sri Lanka's bowling depths, while a knee injury to Nuwan Pradeep forced the fast bowler to return home.

However, experienced seamer Dilhara Fernando is set to return after a knee problem prevented him from playing in Cardiff.

England's main selection issue revolves around James Anderson's replacement after the fast bowler sustained a grade one side-strain on day two in Cardiff.

Middlesex's Steve Finn looks set to replace the Lancastrian in what would be England's tallest bowling trio alongside Stuart Broad and Tremlett, measuring a collective 19 feet, seven and a half inches.

However, Strauss said Surrey's Jade Dernbach, Anderson's replacement in the 12-man squad, has been "impressive" in training and suggested he is not out of contention just yet.

"You have to look at the conditions and the opposition," he said.

"At the same time you don't want to make changes for changes sake - if something is going well then there's every reason to continue that. We're always looking at how to make things better - that maybe the balance of the side, different personal or different tactics."

England have now won four of the past five Test matches and trail South Africa, second in the International Cricket Council's world rankings, by only two points with 115.

And a victory at Lord's would propel them above Graeme Smith's team, the perfect fillip for their enthralling summer four-Test series against India, the world's number one ranked side.

"I don't think any of us want to take our foot off the pedal now," added Strauss. "We've got some early momentum in this series.

"We've got to push on and keep challenging ourselves to get better and better.

"We know that Lord's generally is a good wicket. You've got to fight hard for your wickets and it's usually five days of very hard work if you want to win a Test match."

England (from): Andrew Strauss (c), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior (wk), Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Chris Tremlett, Steve Finn, Jade Dernbach.

Sri Lanka (from): Tillakaratne Dilshan (capt), Tharanga Paranavithana, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera, Dinesh Chandimal, Prasanna Jayawardene (wicketkeeper), Thissara Perera, Suraj Randiv, Ajantha Mendis, Rangana Herath, Dilhara Fernando, Chanaka Welegedara, Suranga Lakmal, Farveez Maharoof.

O'Neal, 39, made the announcement via a video he posted on social networking site Twitter.

"We did it. Nineteen years baby. I want to thank you very much, that's why I'm telling you first, I'm about to retire," O'Neal said in the message.

A spokesman for the Boston Celtics - O'Neal's current team - says the player has not notified them of his plans.

O'Neal has been affected by injuries in the latter stages of his career during his time with Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston.

He has played just 37 games this year, which is the first of a two-year deal at the 7ft 1in player's minimum salary. He has made just three appearances since 1 February.

He recently told an ESPN reporter working on a biography of him that he had considered carrying on playing despite a nagging right Achilles problem - but did not want to disappoint Celtics fans.

"I really thought about coming back but this Achilles is very damaged and if I had it done, the recovery would be so long we'd have the same outcome as this last year - everyone sitting around and waiting for me," O'Neal said.

"I didn't want to let people down two years in a row. I didn't want to hold Boston hostage again.

"I'm letting everybody know now so... the organisation can try to get younger talent. I would love to come back but they say once the Achilles is damaged it's never the same. I don't want to take that chance."

During his 19-year career, O'Neal has played for six teams - Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix, Cleveland and, most recently, Boston.

He has won four NBA titles - three with the Lakers and the last with Miami - and was named as the league's Most Valuable Player in 2000. He has also been named NBA Finals MVP on three occasions.

O'Neal ranks fifth on the all-time NBA scoring list with 28,596 points.

He won a gold medal at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, where he was a member of the US "Dream Team III".

But O'Neal's contribution to basketball stretches beyond his presence on the court.

A charismatic individual, O'Neal has endeared himself to the fans of each of his six teams.

O'Neal has regularly rebranded himself with new nicknames and in a second video, posted on Twitter shortly after the first, he said to his followers: "I know you heard I just announced I'm retired so I need your help - help me come up with a new nickname."

Prince William had backed calls for Wednesday's vote to be postponed following allegations of corruption.

But the English Football Association and its Scottish counterparts have struggled to find widespread support for their proposal.

Blatter is the only candidate for the Fifa presidency as rival Mohammed bin Hammam is suspended.

A spokesman for Prince William said: "The Duke of Cambridge, as FA President, has been kept informed of the FA's proposals and is fully supportive of the Chairman and the initiatives the FA has recommended.

"He considers the transparency of the international governing body to be integral to the good governance of the game."

Despite the support from Prince William, the FA and SFA bid to suspend the election looks unlikely to garner the number of votes - 75% of the 208 nations in Fifa - required to change the agenda.

Fifa executive committee member Chuck Blazer was disparaging about the FA's attempt to force a postponement to proceedings, insisting the move should have come much earlier.

"Unfortunately with them, everything is too little, too late," said Blazer.

"If they wanted other candidates they should have done things before the deadline.

"If they wanted to report malfeasance they shouldn't have waited for a Parliamentary hearing.

"The FA needs to learn to be ahead of the curve and not behind the game."

The FA had already decided to abstain from the voting process but chairman David Bernstein said the organisation was duty bound to make a stance.

"I think it was important that someone stood up and make a statement," he told BBC Sport. "There are some principles involved here and it's important that if nobody else was doing it then the FA took a lead in this.

"The fact that we've opposed something and taken a different view should not mean that we are isolated.

"Whatever happens, we have to be part of Fifa, there is no question of breaking away, but we would like to see better process in terms of election and governance."

The build-up to the elections has been mired by a series of corruption claims but Blatter, 75, has insisted that there is no crisis.

Bin Hammam, president of the Asian Football Federation, and Fifa vice-president Jack Warner were provisionally suspended by Fifa's ethics committee over allegations that financial incentives were offered to Caribbean Football Union (CFU) members.

Blatter was also investigated following a charge against him by Bin Hammam, although Fifa's ethics committee did not find that the president had a case to answer.

Bin Hammam has appealed against his ban, while Warner, who is also president of Concacaf, the governing body for football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean, also denies any wrongdoing.

Despite the continuing claims and counterclaims, BBC sports editor David Bond said anything other than a Blatter victory on Wednesday would be hard to imagine.

"I understand that the FA and SFA are struggling to get support from the other home nations," he said. "The Welsh and the Northern Irish are not necessarily prepared to fall in behind the call to suspend the elections.

"After 13 years in charge of Fifa, Sepp Blatter has built up a huge power base inside the delegation.

"One European delegate described him as superman. The mood around the delegates that I've been speaking to is very much that even those who are opposed to him now accept there is no alternative.

"The FA has left it too late and many question whether they are just being vengeful after that England 2018 World Cup defeat last December.

"It is very difficult to escape the conclusion that Sepp Blatter will be re-elected but the question is how damaged he has been by this whole affair."

On Tuesday, Blatter addressed the opening of Fifa's congress by saying: "I thought we were living in a world of fair play and respect and discipline.

"I unfortunately see this is no longer the case because the famous Fifa pyramid is suddenly unstable and there is a danger.

"On Wednesday, I will speak to you on this danger that is lurking and tell you how we can fight and work against this threat."

Current president Sepp Blatter is the only candidate for the 1 June election after Mohamed Bin Hammam's withdrawal.

The FA now wants the vote delayed and an independent body to recommend "improved governance" of Fifa.

An SFA statement added: "The election should be rescheduled to facilitate a period of consultation."

The United Kingdom Home Nations are due to have discussions on Tuesday to discuss a joint stance.

'Discussions are going to happen in the next 24 hours and that [calling for the election to be postponed] will be a topic of conversation,'' Jonathan Ford, the FA of Wales chief executive, told BBC Wales.

The English FA recently chose to abstain from voting following allegations of corruption against world football's governing body.

FA chairman David Bernstein said in a statement: "On 19 May, 2011 the Football Association announced it would be abstaining in the forthcoming election for the Fifa presidency.

"There were two main reasons for this decision. First, a concern, that a series of allegations relating to Fifa ExCo Members made it difficult to support either candidate.

"Secondly, a concern about the lack of transparency and accountability within the organisation, contributing to the current unsatisfactory situation.

"Events of the last few days have reinforced our views, and we call on Fifa and ask other national associations to support us with two initiatives.

"First, to postpone the election and give credibility to this process, so any alternative reforming candidate could have the opportunity to stand for president.

"Secondly, to appoint a genuinely independent external party to make recommendations regarding improved governance and compliance procedures and structures throughout the Fifa decision-making processes for consideration by the full membership.

"This has been a very damaging time for the reputation of Fifa and therefore the whole of football.

"To improve confidence in the way the game is governed at the very top, we believe these requests would be a positive step forward and the minimum that should take place."

The SFA later added to the growing concern over the running of football's world governing body.

"The events of the last two days, in particular, have made any election unworkable," added its statement. "The integrity and reputation of the game across the world is paramount and the Scottish FA urges Fifa to reconsider its intentions, and calls on other member associations to consider the long-term implications for the game's image.

"We also propose the following actions: Fifa should appoint a wholly independent ethics committee; a significant comprehensive plan should be formulated and presented by Fifa to its members regarding essential changes to its governance, decision-making processes and transparency; a new date is set for the presidential election, giving suitable candidates time to prepare and present their plans for a more transparent and accountable Fifa."

Whether the two FAs will receive the support of their counterparts remains to be seen but Blatter, speaking defiantly at a news conference on Monday, seemed set on making sure the presidential election went ahead unless three quarters of Fifa's congress of 208 voted otherwise.

Blatter, 75, is vying to be re-elected for a fourth term and, despite insisting Fifa was not in crisis, the FA's latest move comes amid world football's governing body being undermined by a series of corruption allegations.

Following question marks being raised over the legitimacy of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding processes, the Fifa presidential election race has been tarnished by further claims of wrongdoings.

Bin Hammam, president of the Asian Football Federation (AFC), and Fifa vice-president Jack Warner have been provisionally suspended by Fifa's ethics committee over allegations that financial incentives were offered to Caribbean Football Union members.

Blatter was also investigated following a charge against him by Bin Hammam, although Fifa's ethics committee did not find the president had a case to answer.

Bin Hammam has appealed against his ban, while Warner revealed an e-mail in which Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke suggested Bin Hammam "bought" the 2022 World Cup, which will be held in Qatar.

Valcke responded by saying his remarks were taken out of context before the latest twist to the turmoil surrounding Fifa resulted in major sponsors Coca-Cola, Adidas, Emirates and Visa expressing their concern at the damage being done to Fifa by the alleged claims of corruption.

Meanwhile, anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International backed calls for an independent body to delve into the goings on within Fifa.

"Free and fair elections cannot take place when there is a suspicion that voters may have been swayed," Sylvia Schenk, senior advisor on sport to TI, said in a statement.

"Fifa delegates know that they must clean house if their vote is to have legitimacy."

The e-mail, seemingly from Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke, also questions why Asian confederation chief Bin Hammam was running for Fifa president.

Valcke wrote: "[Hammam] thought you can buy Fifa as they bought the World Cup".

Fifa suspended Warner and Bin Hammam over separate allegations of bribery, pending further investigation.

Bin Hammam was suspended by the organisation's ethics committee a matter of hours after withdrawing from the Fifa presidential race on Sunday morning.

His decision leaves 75-year-old incumbent Sepp Blatter, who is seeking a fourth term in charge of the organisation he has run unopposed since 1998, as the only man running for the office. Blatter is due to hold a news conference on Monday at 1700 BST.

Fifa has said its election will go ahead, as scheduled, on Wednesday.

Warner, who is president of the North, Central American and Caribbean confederation (Concacaf), has reacted angrily to the allegations of bribery and the Fifa ethics committee's decision to suspend him.

The Trinidad and Tobago government minister raged: "I look on the suspension as the worst form of justice by any sporting organisation.

"They came premeditated, they weren't prepared to listen, they were hand-picked to do a task and they did just that.

"The guys were hand-picked by Blatter. A kangaroo court would be a decent thing to say."

Warner, who also turned on Valcke, stated: "I wrote to Valcke telling him, among other things, that the outcome of the [Fifa presidential] elections may cause some fracture in the Arab world which we can ill afford now and that I will like to ask Bin Hammam to withdraw from the race.

"To which Jerome replied to me and I quote: 'For MBH [Mohamad Bin Hammam], I never understood why he was running. If really he thought he had a chance or just being an extreme way to express how much he does not like anymore JSB [Joseph Sepp Blatter].

"Or he thought you can buy Fifa as they [Qatar] bought the WC'."

Warner showed the e-mail to television crews and added: "You don't have to believe me, you don't have to like me, nobody has to eat with me, drink with me or sleep with me but Jesus Christ, take the truth when you see it."

Warner has also accused Blatter of making a gift of computers and an unauthorised $1m (£607,000) to Concacaf officials.

"I indicated that at the Miami Concacaf Congress on 3 May Mr Blatter made a gift of $1m to Concacaf to spend as it deems fit," Warner said in a statement.

"This annoyed [Uefa] president Michel Platini who was present and he approached secretary general Jerome Valcke complaining that Mr Blatter had no permission from the finance committee to make this gift to which Jerome replied that he will find the money for Mr Blatter.

"I also indicated Fifa, through Mr Blatter, organised gifts of laptops and projectors to all members of the Caribbean and no objections have been made today of this to date."

This is the latest in a string of allegations between the men at the top of Fifa.

Warner and Hammam are accused of offering financial incentives to members of the Caribbean Football Union.

In a file of evidence it was claimed bundles of cash of up to $40,000 (£24,200) were handed over to members of the CFU at the meeting in Trinidad on 10 and 11 May.

The payments were allegedly made to secure votes for Bin Hammam in his campaign to challenge Blatter for the presidency.

Bin Hammam effectively claimed Blatter was aware of some of the wrongdoing but the Fifa president did not report it, in itself a breach of Fifa's ethics code, but he was found to have no case to answer.

Warner has also maintained his innocence and denied any wrongdoing.

According to the Reuters news agency, China's Zhang Jilong will take charge of the Asian Football Confederation in the absence of Hammam.

Earlier this month Qatar 2022 World Cup officials denied allegations, published in the Sunday Times, that they paid bribes in return for votes.

Meanwhile, independent Australian senator Nick Xenophon has demanded that Fifa refunds the Aus$45.6m (£29.6m) they spent on their unsuccessful bid to host the 2022 World Cup.

Xenophon said: "It appears corrupt and highly questionable behaviour goes to the core of Fifa.

"Australia spent almost $46m on a bid we were never in the running for.

"Now we hear that bribes may have been made to fix the result for who will head up Fifa."

The move came hours before the 62-year-old Asian Football Confederation chief was due to face an ethics committee hearing into bribery claims.

He said he did not want to see Fifa's name "dragged more in the mud".

Mr Bin Hammam had been due to stand against incumbent Fifa chief Sepp Blatter, who is also facing the inquiry.

Both deny corruption claims.

Mr Bin Hammam stressed his withdrawal must not "be tied to the investigation held by the Fifa ethics committee", pledging that he would appear before the panel to clear his name.

His decision not to run means that Mr Blatter is the only remaining candidate in the election of the new Fifa president, scheduled for Wednesday.

'Great price'

The bribery allegations against Mr Bin Hammam stem from a report by Fifa executive committee member Chuck Blazer.

He alleges that the Qatari and Fifa Vice-President Jack Warner jointly organised a special meeting of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) earlier in May. The meeting was "linked to the upcoming Fifa presidential election", the organisation said in a statement earlier this week.

CFU members are reported to have told Fifa they were offered sums of cash for "development projects" at the meeting.

In a statement announcing his intention to withdraw from the presidential race, Mr Bin Hammam said he "was and remains committed to change within Fifa" in order to "further the cause of democracy" within the organisation.

But he added that "recent events have left me hurt and disappointed - on a professional and personal level".

"It saddens me that standing up for the causes that I believed in has come at a great price - the degradation of Fifa's reputation. This is not what I had in mind for Fifa and this is unacceptable.

"I cannot allow the name that I loved to be dragged more and more in the mud because of competition between two individuals. The game itself and the people who love it around the world must come first."

The Fifa's ethics committee hearing is due to start in Zurich, Switzerland, later on Sunday.

A news conference has been scheduled for 1600 GMT, where the hearing's outcome could be announced.

Both Mr Bin Hammam and Mr Warner are facing allegations from Chuck Blazer that they offered bribes at the meeting of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) on 10 and 11 May.

A file of evidence claims bundles of cash of up to $40,000 (£24,200) were handed over to members of the CFU at the meeting in Trinidad.

Both Mr Bin Hammam and Mr Warner deny the allegations.

In turn, Mr Bin Hammam has effectively claimed that Mr Blatter - who is bidding for a fourth term in office - failed to report the payment of alleged bribes, in itself a breach of Fifa's ethics code.

Mr Blatter, 75, denies any wrongdoing. In a statement on Friday, he said: "I cannot comment on the proceedings that have been opened against me today. The facts will speak for themselves."

The latest twist in the bitter fight for Fifa presidency follows weeks of damaging headlines and allegations in the wake of the vote for the hosts of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

The former was awarded to Russia and the latter to Qatar.

The allegations, including bribery, were made by executive committee member Chuck Blazer.

Blazer claims Fifa's code of ethics was violated at a meeting "apparently organised" by Bin Hammam and Warner.

The other two officials are Debbie Minguell and Jason Sylvester from the Caribbean Football Union.

The CFU represents 25 Fifa member nations as well as five territories not affiliated to Fifa.

The meeting, on 10 and 11 May, was in relation to the Fifa presidential election which takes place on 1 June.

Bin Hammam, the president of the Asian Football Confederation, is running against current president Sepp Blatter to be the new head of football's world governing body.

The four officials have been called to a hearing of Fifa's ethics committee in Zurich on 29 May.

Fifa has announced that Claudio Sulser, the head of the ethics committee, will not take charge of the hearing as he shares Swiss nationality with Bin Hammam's presidential rival Blatter.

The committee's deputy chairman Petrus Damaseb of Namibia will instead chair proceedings.

The Fifa statement read: "On May 24 2011, Fifa executive committee member and Concacaf general secretary Chuck Blazer reported to Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke possible violations of the Fifa code of ethics allegedly committed by officials.

"In particular, the report referred to a special meeting of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), apparently organised jointly by Fifa vice-president Jack A. Warner and Fifa executive committee member Mohamed Bin Hammam, which took place on May 10 and 11 2011.

"This meeting was linked to the upcoming Fifa presidential election.

"In view of the facts alleged in this report, which include bribery allegations, Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke, in compliance with art. 16 of the Fifa code of ethics, yesterday requested the Fifa ethics committee to open ethics proceedings."

News of the inquiry comes soon after Fifa launched a separate investigation into claims made by former Football Association and England 2018 World Cup bid chairman Lord Triesman.

Triesman alleged that four Fifa members - Warner, Nicolas Leoz, Ricardo Teixeira and Worawi Makudi - sought "bribes" in return for backing England's failed 2018 World Cup bid.

Warner said the allegations made against him by Triesman were "a piece of nonsense".

British MPs at the culture, media and sport committee in the House of Commons have also claimed that Confederation of African Football (Caf) president Issa Hayatou and executive committee member Jacques Anouma took bribes related to Qatar's 2022 World Cup bid.

Both men have denied the claims while Qatar 2022 World Cup officials described allegations they paid bribes in return for votes as "distressing, insulting and incomprehensible".

On Sunday, Blatter angrily denied that Fifa is corrupt and added there is no evidence to support recent accusations of wrongdoing.

"I've talked to the Sunday Times newspaper bosses and agreed to put us on the person who found this information to help in the investigation. For now, we do not know any name, even if it is a man or woman," Blatter explained.

The scandal erupted a week ago, followed by a meeting of the Committee on Sport in the British Parliament were explained the reasons for missing the target organization of the tournament, during which MP Damian Collins brought that argument in its favor that it would be clear evidence as Issa Hayatou and Jacques Anouma had received money from the representatives of Qatar.

"Are competent authorities who can handle this problem, you should discuss and resolve this matter in the FIFsA Congress. We want to see first whether the allegations are false or true, and then we will take action. It is certainly an issue to be clarified", Blatter added.