Time for Blatter to go, says Australian former FIFA official

"But his era represented a period when FIFA lost much credibility and trust and Blatter will forever carry that label.

"The stigma that FIFA is a corrupt body has to be erased once and for all. One fears that will not happen until Sepp Blatter goes."

Murray said the politics of FIFA would ensure that Blatter would be re-elected but Bonita Mersiades, who worked on the Australian World Cup bid and has alleged widespread corruption in the process, said she thought the arrests might prove a watershed.

"Certainly it gives the world of football an opportunity on Friday to get FIFA's house in order," she told Sydney's Daily Telegraph.

"If the 209 members of FIFA care more about football than they do their positions, then we could see some progress."

Murray, who came under fire for recommending consultant Peter Hargitay to the Australian bid committee, said if Qatar loses the right to host the World Cup in 2022 because of the scandal, Australia should try again.

"If it comes to pass and the courts rule that in fact, some manipulation was made and bribes were taken, then I don't believe there's any other choice but to have a re-vote," he told the ABC.

"If there is a re-vote, I think Australia should bid again."