Fifa president Sepp Blatter sends best wishes to Stiliyan Petrov

Stiliyan Petrov (GETTY IMAGES)

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has become the latest high-profile figure to wish Stiliyan Petrov "strength" as he today begins his fight against acute leukaemia.

The diagnosis of Petrov's illness was publicly announced on Friday, sparking a wave of sympathy and good wishes towards the Aston Villa captain.

That was most notable on Saturday as players from both Villa and Chelsea wore t-shirts during the warm-up ahead of their game at Villa Park in support of the Bulgarian midfielder.

Now via his Twitter account, football's most powerful man has offered Petrov his encouragement as Blatter said: "Very sad to hear about Stiliyan Petrov's illness. Wish him strength in his fight to win this battle.

"Support shown at Villa Park by both sets of fans another sign of all that is good in football. £getwellstan."

Petrov is today in London for the start of his treatment, initially embarking on a course of steroids and tablets that will then prepare him for chemotherapy.

PA