Sepp Blatter publicly addressed the Fifa arrests for the first time. Here's what he had to say

Sepp Blatter spoke at the opening ceremony of the Fifa congress in Zurich on Thursday, addressing the arrest senior officials on charges of corruption for the first time publicly.

He admitted that Fifa had a "long road back" to earning the trust of football fans worldwide but said he was determined to root out those who had blighted the game.

These are unprecedented and difficult times for Fifa. The events of yesterday have cast a long shadow over football and over this week’s congress. Actions of individuals, if proven, bring shame and humiliation on football and demand action and change from us all. We cannot allow the reputation of Fifa to be dragged through the mud any longer.

I must stress that those who are corrupt in football are in a minority, as in society. But as in society they must be caught.

The Fifa president, who is seeking his fifth term in office in the election on Friday, insisted he was the man to lead reform.

We or I cannot monitor everyone all of the time, if people want to do wrong, they will also try to hide it.

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.

He also added: "The next few months will not be easy for Fifa, I’m sure more bad news will follow."

More: The side of the Fifa scandal no one is talking about