Embattled head of world football Sepp Blatter has said he cannot be blamed in his first public comments on the ‘unprecedented’ corruption scandal engulfing the sport.

Early on Friday morning local time, Mr Blatter spoke at the opening ceremony of the FIFA congress in Zurich, admitting the world body had a “long road back” to earning back the trust of fans.

“The events of yesterday have cast a long shadow over football and over this week’s congress,” said the FIFA president.

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“Actions of individuals, if proven, bring shame and humiliation on football and demand action and change from us all.”

But such a change will apparently not include the resignation of Mr Blatter himself, who has not withdrawn his candidacy for a fifth term in office in the election to be held this weekend.

Before the speech, European football chief Michel Platini told the media he asked the 79-year-old Swiss official to stand down at an emergency meeting of FIFA leaders. Mr Blatter refused.

“Today I have come to ask you to quit FIFA, to resign from FIFA, to leave FIFA because its image is bad and we can no longer go on like this,” Mr Platini said he told Blatter in front of other FIFA presidents.

Blatter only replied in a private conversation after Platini repeated the demand. “He told me: ‘Michel we know each other well, but it’s too late. I cannot leave today when the congress starts this afternoon.”

During the congress speech, the FIFA boss said, “We or I cannot monitor everyone all of the time, if people want to do wrong, they will also try to hide it,” the FIFA boss told the congress.

“I will not allow the actions of a few to destroy the hard work and integrity of the vast majority of those who work so hard for football.”

On Wednesday, seven FIFA officials, including two vice presidents, were arrested on allegations of corruption.

US authorities have accused a total of 14 people connected to the case of taking more than $150 million in bribes.

Even global political leaders have weighed in on the growing scandal.

British Prime Minister David Cameron backed the calls for Blatter to resign. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, whose country beat England to get the 2018 World Cup, supported Blatter for a fifth term.

Football Federation Australia has pledged to vote for Blatter’s challenger, Ali bin Al-Hussein of Jordan, at the presidential election.