Gary Lineker brands FIFA's way of running world football 'a farce'

English footballer-turned TV personality Gary Lineker believes that the way FIFA is running world football is a farce, after the world football governing body agreed to publish a report into claims of World Cup corruption bid.

FIFA had previously refused to publish the report, while author Michael Garcia resigned as the body's independent ethics investigator over its handling of his report.

Lineker said that the way everything's run at FIFA, it's hugely depressing for those of them who love the game, adding that he doesn't think there is any question that FIFA is at an all-time low, the BBC reported.

Lineker said that the administration of football is just wrong, adding that the whole thing is a farce. He said that it's said football is the beautiful game, but claimed that it's hugely tarnished by what's going on.

American lawyer Garcia conducted an investigation into corruption allegations during the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, awarded to Russia and Qatar respectively.

Garcia's findings were released as a 42-page summary of the 430-page report but he claimed the summary was erroneous and complained to FIFA, which said that his appeal was not admissible.

Garcia resigned on Wednesday, citing a lack of leadership at FIFA.

Lineker, who was an ambassador for England's 2018 World Cup bid, played in two World Cups and won the Golden Boot at the 1986 tournament.

Lineker claimed that it's come to the stage really where something needs to be done, adding that the only way something would really change is if the major federations around the world come together and say that they have had enough of this.