FA chairman David Bernstein opposed to Sepp Blatter running for fifth term as Fifa president

Football Association chairman David Bernstein today insisted he would be against an attempt by Sepp Blatter to extend his reign as Fifa president.

Blatter's fourth term of office ends in 2015 but despite stipulating in 2011 he would not run for president again, he has suggested he may seek re-election once more.

The 76-year-old Swiss is currently the focus of a bribery investigation and has been advised to resign by German Football League president Dr Reinhard Rauball.

Remarks made by Blatter at the weekend appeared to insinuate that Germany had only gained the 2006 World Cup due to malpractice - a suggestion which was angrily denied by Franz Beckenbauer, the head of the organising committee for that tournament.

"I would not support that (Blatter seeking re-election), but I'm not going to call for resignations," said Bernstein, speaking before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee's football governance follow-up.

"I stood up strongly last year in terms of the election itself and of proper governance and I think that's probably helped because I get a real feel of change and reform is taking place within Fifa.

"I'm genuinely encouraged with what I've seen over the past year. There's a real desire and understanding that change has to take place."

PA