Australia want Sepp Blatter out

FIFA President Sepp Blatter. Photo / AP

Australia want Sepp Blatter ousted as FIFA president in the wake of the unprecedented corruption scandal engulfing football.

Football Federation Australia will vote for the man challenging Blatter, Ali bin Al-Hussein from Jordan, at the looming FIFA presidential election.

"FFA believes that profound change within FIFA is needed as soon as possible to address issues of governance and transparency," FFA chairman Frank Lowy said in a statement on Thursday night.

"This belief will be reflected when Australia casts its vote in the presidential election, should it proceed on Friday (European time) in Zurich.

"The board of FFA has reviewed the manifesto for change proposed by Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein and believes it provides the basis for a fresh start for FIFA."

New Zealand Football have confirmed in the past that they will back Blatter.

Lowy's statement came soon after he arrived in Zurich amid the ongoing corruption scandal.

The scheduled FIFA congress, and presidential vote slated for Saturday AEST, could be postponed in the wake of 14 people, including nine current or former FIFA office holders, being arrested on corruption charges.

Police arrested seven current FIFA officials in dawn raids at a luxury Zurich hotel at the behest of United States authorities.

The seven are among 14 people, including one with dubious connections to Australia's failed bid to host the 2022 World Cup, charged with racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracies.

The US is seeking their extradition to face charges they conspired to solicit and receive more than US$150 million (A$194 million) in bribes and kickbacks, in exchange for their support of marketing executives who agreed to make the illegal payments.

US authorities say those charged face up to 20 years in jail if found guilty.

The arrests came as Swiss investigators separately raided the head offices of FIFA in Zurich in a fresh probe into the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar respectively.

The Swiss investigation is expected to examine corruption claims dogging Australia's futile bid to host the 2022 World Cup.

The Australian government spent some A$46 million on its 2022 bid, which received just one vote of support.

The Swiss probe will likely examine the FFA's payment to Jack Warner who is central to corruption allegations regarding Australia's unsuccessful bid.

Warner, a former FIFA vice-president from Trinidad and Tobago, was among the 14 people arrested and charged with eight corruption counts.

Warner has denied any wrongdoing but two of his sons have pleaded guilty to charges related to the investigation into bribery and kickbacks involving FIFA officials and sports marketing firms.

Australia paid Warner A$500,000 in 2010 - funds meant for soccer stadium upgrades but which he allegedly kept after they were deposited in his personal bank account.

The Australian Federal Police said it may also investigate the payment after the matter was raised by South Australian Senator Nick Xenophon during a Senate hearing in Canberra on Thursday.

- AAP