LAUSANNE, June 9 (AFP): International Olympic Committee (IOC) chief Thomas Bach said that scandal-plagued FIFA needs �painful� but necessary reform. The IOC president said the crisis at football�s world governing body was bigger than the bribes-for-votes furore over the awarding of the 2002 Winter Games to Salt Lake City.
�We know from our experience that putting everything on the table can be painful but it�s absolutely necessary. We�ve seen that in our past,� he said at the IOC headquarters.
�It�s only by doing that that the IOC restored its credibility.�
He added: �We can only encourage FIFA to pursue the reforms that it has chosen to carry out. We appreciate that FIFA should be ready for substantial reforms.�
Bach said the scale of the 2002 Games affair was nothing in comparison to the storm enveloping FIFA.
�The difference in magnitude is enormous,� the 61-year-old told media after an IOC meeting.
�There is almost no comparison with what happened with Salt Lake City and what is happening at FIFA. It�s hard to compare, perhaps on the principle, but not on the scale.�
