FA chairman David Bernstein also wants FIFA to appoint an independent body to supervise reforms after the revelations and accusations of the last month that have caused a crisis in the world governing body.

Bernstein said in a statement: "On May 19, 2011, the Football Association announced it would be abstaining in the forthcoming election for the FIFA Presidency.

"There were two main reasons for this decision. First, a concern, that a series of allegations relating to FIFA ExCo Members made it difficult to support either candidate.

"Secondly, a concern about the lack of transparency and accountability within the organisation, contributing to the current unsatisfactory situation.

"Events of the last few days have reinforced our views, and we call on FIFA and ask other national associations to support us with two initiatives.

"First, to postpone the election and give credibility to this process, so any alternative reforming candidate could have the opportunity to stand for president.

"Secondly, to appoint a genuinely independent external party to make recommendations regarding improved governance and compliance procedures and structures throughout the FIFA decision making processes for consideration by the full membership.

"This has been a very damaging time for the reputation of FIFA and therefore the whole of football. To improve confidence in the way the game is governed at the very top, we believe these requests would be a positive step forward and the minimum that should take place."

Bernstein's call comes after Asian football chief Mohamed Bin Hammam pulled out of the race against Blatter at the weekend, hours before he was provisionally banned from all football-related activities on bribery charges.

Blatter meanwhile has admitted FIFA face "difficulties" but insisted there was no crisis.

The FIFA president appeared at a news conference yesterday after another extraordinary day of revelations, claims and denials involving the world governing body's most senior officials.

Blatter, though, appeared defiant and determined to press on with the election.

The news conference came shortly after FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke had confirmed that he sent an email suggesting the 2022 World Cup was "bought" - but insisted he was referring to Qatar using their "financial strength" to legitimately lobby for votes.

Asked about FIFA facing a crisis, Blatter said: "Crisis? What is a crisis? Football is not in a crisis.

"If you see the final match of the Champions League you must applaud. We are not in a crisis we are only in some difficulties and these will be solved inside our family."

UEFA president Michel Platini said he doubted whether the FA would win enough support to have the election postponed.

Platini told insideworldfootball.biz: "I don't know anything about this, no-one has contacted me.

"Anyway I am only the [UEFA] president and I don't have a vote.

"It would need 75% support from the [208-nation] Congress to support the English - who knows if that many would back them. I have my doubts."

The Scottish Football Association have also called for FIFA to postpone the presidential election.

Scottish FA chief executive Stewart Regan said: "The Scottish FA can today confirm its position that the FIFA presidential election be postponed in light of recent uncertainty.

"We believe the election should be rescheduled to facilitate a period of consultation to deal with the issues that have arisen in recent weeks.

"The events of the last two days, in particular, have made any election unworkable.

"The integrity and reputation of the game across the world is paramount and the Scottish FA urges FIFA to reconsider its intentions, and calls on other member associations to consider the long-term implications for the game's image.

"We also propose the following actions: FIFA should appoint a wholly independent ethics committee; a significant comprehensive plan should be formulated and presented by FIFA to its members regarding essential changes to its governance, decision-making processes and transparency; a new date is set for the presidential election, giving suitable candidates time to prepare and present their plans for a more transparent and accountable FIFA."

Regan told Sky Sports: "We would like the ethics committee to be appointed as a totally independent body to put to bed once and for all any concerns about corruption within the organisation.

"I think it is a matter for debate, three to six months would be a realistic period of time for any independent ethics committee to get together to review all of the facts and to come up with recommendations based on transparency and accountable processes and procedures being put in place.

"Doing nothing is not a viable option. If we do nothing then we can see the election going ahead tomorrow and Sepp Blatter being appointed for a period of your years.

"We think in order to gain some kind of momentum there needs to be affirmative action.

"The FA have come out and said they believe the election should be postponed, we are also of the same mind."

Regan continued: "We watched the press conference yesterday unfold and we felt that Sepp Blatter had been cleared from any personal involvement in any of these allegations but two of the executive committee members have been suspended.

"Now to actually go through an election while that investigation is on-going isn't the right thing to do.

"The organisation needs to come out and it needs to have a very clear plan, showing what governance changes will be put in place in the coming years and also to have an independent ethics committee to review and either find the individuals guilty or not guilty, and the members then can have confidence to move on.

"We have only just arrived at the SFA position, we will be discussing the matter with other member associations over the course of the next 24 hours."

Regan refrained from calling for Blatter to resign. He said: "I don't think it is a matter of resignation for Sepp Blatter at this stage.

"I think you have to separate the wrongdoing that has clearly gone on within the organisation and the allegations that have been made from the process of transparency and accountability and good governance.

"What we need at the moment is to have an election where the members can feel confident and in order for that to happen we have to, in our opinion, postpone that election to give times for that process to be undertaken."