Reforms vital for FIFA: IOC boss

International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach on Friday said the organisation's bitter experience has proved that reform is very important.

"We know from our own bitter experience at the IOC that this is not an easy process but today we see very clearly how vital our reforms have been. Today is an extraordinary day. You will not only elect a new president but you will also decide on the future of world football," Bach said in a speech at the FIFA Extraordinary Congress here, reports Xinhua.

"You have a great chance to turn the page and start a new chapter for a game we all love so much. The world today takes less for granted and it is our shared responsibility to provide new answers to new questions. The credibility of sport organisations and competitions is the foundation of our mission. This was made clear by the FIFA president and executive committee urging you all to vote in favour of the reforms."

Bach hoped that the delegates will "score winning goals for football" in the congress and decide the future of the sport.