Prince Ali bin al Hussein, challenger to Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency, called Wednesday for urgent steps to end "the crisis" at football's world body after several leaders were arrested for corruption.

"We cannot continue with the crisis in FIFA, a crisis that has been ongoing and is not just relevant to the events of today," the Jordanian prince and FIFA vice president said in a statement.

Despite the arrest of seven football officials in Zurich and the opening of an investigation into the award of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar, FIFA say that a presidential election will go ahead Friday.

Blatter is favourite to win but Wednesday's stunning events could change votes.

Prince Ali called the arrests a "sad day for football."

He said: "FIFA needs leadership that governs, guides and protects our national associations. Leadership that accepts responsibility for its actions and does not pass blame. Leadership that restores confidence in the hundreds of millions of football fans around the world."