Stewart Regan hits out at Sepp Blatter's Russia claims

Stewart Regan says Sepp Blatter's claim an agreement was made to award Russia the 2018 World Cup before votes were cast is further proof reform is needed at FIFA.

The SFA chief executive has hit out at the Swiss head of world football after his comments to Russian news agency TASS, which were released on Wednesday.

Blatter stated a discussion took place which determined the 2018 competition would go to Russia, with the United States hosting the event four years later.

Then French president Nicolas Sarkozy is alleged to have intervened having spoken to the crown prince of Qatar.

Blatter claims Michel Platini - who like Blatter is currently suspended by FIFA's ethics committee - said it would be good for the 2022 event to go to Qatar instead.

England made a bid to host the 2018 tournament and were ultimately unsuccessful, finishing last in the first round of voting.

Football Association chairman Greg Dyke has said he will write to FIFA for an explanation of Blatter's comments with a view to potentially trying to recoup money spent on the failed bid.

Regan has criticised Blatter and said: "I think it's shocking, I think it's absolutely shocking but ultimately we need to see those facts rather than hear them from Mr Blatter.

"He will probably say that he was misquoted or he's speaking in English, which is not his normal language, and he didn't mean what he said.

"If what he said is true, it's absolutely shocking for the game of football and it's another example of why we need a change of leadership at the top of the game.

"I'm sure those comments yesterday will be investigated fully and the facts made available. It's really damaging for FIFA.

"It doesn't do anything for the game when countries, governments and local authorities are spending millions of pounds and bidding for major competitions to come to their country and then to hear a decision has already been made. It's outrageous."