As Always, Too Little Too Late...

Fifa's growing army of critics will no doubt welcome today's statement from the Football Association chairman David Bernstein calling for a postponement of Sepp Blatter's re-election.

Having already decided to abstain, the FA has now gone one step further, disregarding neutrality and lining up as a clear opponent of the Fifa president.

Given the level of criticism being directed at Blatter and Fifa from the English media, the FA was under pressure to make a stand.

But, while they have guaranteed themselves good headlines, their last minute move is likely to end up as nothing more than an empty gesture.

Even from those countries still angry at last December's World Cup bidding decisions, there was an indifferent response.

One American delegate told me privately: "They have left it too late - again. The time to do all this was weeks ago. If they wanted to make a stand, that's fine, but 24 hours before the congress is useless."

Another source told me that this was another classic example of the FA misunderstanding how they are perceived in world football.

And the risk is that this will lead to the FA being more isolated.

Of far greater significance is the latest statement from one of Fifa's top sponsors expressing concern at the crisis engulfing Fifa.

Emirates, who pay over $100m (£60.6m) for the right to be one of Fifa's six top tier partners, joined Coca Cola and Adidas in calling for Fifa to sort out the mess.

This is likely to make Blatter and Fifa far more anxious than Bernstein's statement - no matter how well it might play with the English audience.

BBC