PROFESSIONAL Football’s Association chief Gordon Taylor yesterday called for players to become the guardians of football and bring back “integrity” to the game, by taking charge of Fifa.

Football’s governing body is currently under investigation by the US government for corruption, with nine officials having been arrested.

Taylor, who is also honorary president of world players’ union FifPro, slammed Fifa, saying the crisis had left the sport “tainted and besmirched with corruption,” and believes that a game for the players should be run by them.

“The game has been tainted and besmirched with corruption at the highest level by custodians who have ‘feathered their own nests’ with monies meant to be used for facilities, pitches and players all over the world,” he said.

“The time is here to clean out the corruption and to place ourselves at the top table as guardians of the game.

“Our record is one of transparency not opaqueness, accountability not of obfuscation.

“We cannot and must not leave a vacuum in Fifa to be filled with the same toxic problems as before.

“If we do not intervene now we will forever regret it. We can start by recognising that if we do not do it and get to the high table it will be left to government organisations like WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency), Interpol, the FBI, justice departments and the inland revenue.

“A game for players about players has not been run by players and we are now seeing the results.”

The investigation is also looking at the the allocation of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, amid speculation of bribery involved in the voting process.

Taylor would like to see a more transparent process to prevent any more secrets, with the change being driven by the players.

“There is much to change in the organisation of Fifa,” he said.

“It feels that even the location of its headquarters in a country where anonymity and secrecy prevail sets the wrong tone.

“It must be noted that this corruption that has been known about for many years has been (investigated) by the United States justice system rather than the Swiss police.

“The way the World Cup venues have been chosen must change so that the process is transparent, incorrupt, fair and not wasting millions in a sham contest for venues laced with corruption.

“There needs to be complete accountability of all Fifa’s incomings and outgoings by an independent, unbridled organisation and all salaries published with nothing capable of being hidden or lost.

“All this can be done as it was with the Olympics but players’ voices must be heard and listened to as they are the constant throughout football’s pyramid and the stronger their voice the better the game will be in the future.

“The time has come for players and their unions to seize the moment and bring a breath of fresh air, integrity and solid sensible leadership.”