FA chairman David Bernstein is preparing to embark on a drive to improve the organisation’s international relations. The FA came under attack from critics after their attempt to have last month’s presidential election postponed ended in a heavy defeat.
During the vote, England had called on the 208 FIFA member associations to stop Sepp Blatter being re-elected unopposed but the proposal was defeated by 172 votes to 17.
David Bernstein will meet with Blatter “in due course” and is planning a series of meetings, first with his European counterparts and then beyond.
“With FIFA, I have corresponded with Sepp Blatter and we will be meeting in due course,” said Bernstein.
“We are not looking to lead a revolution or anything. A situation arose. We had strong views about it. We felt those views should be expressed and we expressed them.
“We may be in a lead position at the moment but that is not necessarily where we want to be.
“We want to work with other countries to move the agenda. I am sure the whole world wants to see FIFA move on.
“This talk of isolation is not the case. We have had a lot of reassuring words from other nations, we have already had some bilateral conversations with others.
“We will be looking to have a series of bilateral meetings, particularly with the European countries to start with and then extending that.
“We will work out a programme of meetings to make sure we continue to develop our international relations properly and professionally.
“We will talk to a wide range of countries and continue to develop relationships with them and be part of the international community, which is where they want us to be and where we want to be.”
The FA called for a delay to the presidential vote so an independent body could conduct a review of FIFA’s governance.
After Blatter had been re-elected, he invited the opera singer Placido Domingo to join a new “council of wisdom” to help restore FIFA’s reputation.
Bernstein’s reaction to Domingo’s inclusion was to raise an eyebrow.
“He may have great investigative powers. I don’t know much about his talents, other than he is a great singer,” said Bernstein.
“At first blush he wouldn’t seem to be a natural. Certainly, one can say we hope they will appoint skilled independent people. If they can sing as well, that is wonderful.”
Bernstein confirmed their relations with UEFA had not been damaged, despite Michel Platini urging them not to take a stance.
“Having done it, I think he respects what we did and there are no issues at all,” he said.
“The FIFA situation doesn’t impinge on UEFA at all. I spoke to Michel Platini on Wednesday. It was very positive, very warm. There are a number of areas we are working together on.”
UEFA announced last week that Wembley had been selected to host the 2013 Champions League final for the second time in three years.