Fifa president Sepp Blatter says anyone who calls him corrupt should be sent to jail.
Blatter, 79, announced he would step down as Fifa president last month amid a blaze of corruption, following a high profile investigation into world football's governing body.
In an interview with a German magazine said his conscience was clean and he believes he will go to heaven when he dies.
"Anybody who calls me corrupt because Fifa is corrupt, I can only shake my head," he said.
US officials have launched a criminal inquiry and Fifa officials have already been arrested in Switzerland.
"My faith has given me strength during the last week. I am a religious person and pray, too. I own a golden cross that has been blessed by Pope Francis," said Blatter.
"I believe I will go to heaven one day. But I believe there is no hell. I disagree with the Pope on that."
Blatter has since come back and said he could be open to the possibility of returning as Fifa's president.