Fifa World Cup report: Lineker criticises governing body 'farce'

The way Fifa is running world football is "a farce", according to former England captain Gary Lineker.

His comments come after the governing body agreed to publish a report into claims of World Cup bidding corruption.

It had previously refused to do so, while author Michael Garcia resigned as Fifa's independent ethics investigator over the body's handling of his report.

"The way everything's run at Fifa, it's hugely depressing for those of us who love the game," Lineker told the BBC.

"I don't think there is any question that Fifa is at an all-time low."

Lineker said the administration of football is "just wrong", adding: "The whole thing is a farce. It's said football is the beautiful game, but it's hugely tarnished by what's going on."

American lawyer Garcia conducted an investigation into allegations of corruption during the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, awarded to Russia and Qatar respectively.

Garcia's findings were released as a 42-page summary of the 430-page report but he said the summary was "erroneous" and complained to Fifa, which said his appeal was "not admissible".

Garcia resigned on Wednesday, citing a "lack of leadership" at Fifa.

BBC presenter Lineker, who was an ambassador for England's 2018 World Cup bid, played in two World Cups and won the Golden Boot at the 1986 tournament.

"It's come to the stage really where something needs to be done," the 54-year-old former striker said.

"The only way something will really change is if the major federations around the world come together and say 'we have had enough of this'. But don't hold your breath."

Fifa president Sepp Blatter is seeking re-election for a fifth term in 2015, despite originally saying he would stand down at the end of his current term.

Blatter conceded his organisation had been "in a crisis" but insisted: "The crisis has stopped because we again have the unity in our government."

Lineker believes that Blatter will win another term as president and added: "He's the man right at the top and in any other business, or any other political form of life, that person would go and not be voted for.

"But you'll see, he will be voted in again as sure as Christmas is around the corner."