Sepp Blatter slams critics who want 'to destroy FIFA'

Sao Paulo: FIFA President Sepp Blatter has hit out at critics who he says want "to destroy FIFA."

Blatter told Asian football leaders on Monday "I don't know what the reasoning is" behind The Sunday Times' allegations of corrupt payments by Mohamed bin Hammam.

The newspaper has reported Bin Hammam paid millions of dollars to Asian and African officials buying influence for Qatar's 2022 World Cup campaign and his own FIFA presidential challenge in 2011.

The FIFA chief, who is widely expected to stand for re-election, says "we are in the situation where we need leadership. I still have fire inside me."

Asian Football Confederation members stood to acclaim Blatter's request for support.

Minutes earlier, he promised FIFA member countries bonus payments from 2014 World Cup profits.