Blatter hits back at Eckert

The German lawyer told the news magazine Focus a while ago that Blatter needed to clear the air or he would no longer be acceptable as FIFA president.

"A judge should not say anything," the Swiss national told Sport Bild.

"I have never experienced it that a judge makes a comment about an ongoing case. He only says something when he makes the judgement."

Eckert, who together with American lawyer Michael Garcia has been tasked with clearing FIFA of corruption and mismanagement, is quoted as having said: "For Blatter it means that either he clears up everything or he goes."

In the interview with Sport Bild Blatter also said that he was not in favour of a suggestion made by the former president of the German football federation Theo Zwanziger, who suggested that there should be maximum ages for FIFA officials.

"I am against this plan. Age has nothing to do with skills. There are 70-year-olds who are still very young in their head," the 76-year-old said.

Blatter, who has said that he will not stand for a fifth term of office, believes that Zwanziger idea that the terms of office of officials be restricted, has more chance of being passed.