Ronaldo Urges Reform of Brazil Federation

Former Brazilian star Ronaldo on Wednesday added his voice to those of illustrious compatriots hoping that the corruption scandal which has engulfed world body FIFA will also spark reform and change closer to home.

With Sepp Blatter having stunned the world in announcing his resignation as FIFA president after 17 years, 2002 world champion Ronaldo indicated he hoped Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) counterpart Marco Polo Del Nero would also stand down.

Del Nero has only been in the post since mid-April having succeeded Jose Maria Marin, one of seven top football officials arrested last week in Switzerland on US charges of taking some $150 million in bribes over 24 years.

Del Nero insisted he knew nothing of any corrupt practices but Ronaldo said in Sao Paulo he believed a new broom is needed.

"I would love to see him (Del Nero) step down too. He has not given a great example. The relationship he had with the former (CBF) president is evident," said 38-year-old Ronaldo, who was also in the 1994 World Cup squad that triumphed although he didn't get any match time.

"It appals people to see the stewardship of Brazilian and world football in this corruption crisis. I hope that these investigations are stepped up -- and here in Brazil in particular.

"I think this is just the start and that there remains much to be discovered," the former Brazil great added.

"Football's hierarchy needs renewing within the federations.

"I think that politicians and football administrators caught up in corruption need to go to jail," Ronaldo, speaking in Sao Paulo, concluded as he demanded greater transparency, honesty and professionalism.

"There is a lot wrong here," he continued, in allusion to a domestic game beset by ballooning club debt and falling crowds while several of the multimillion stadiums built for last year's World Cup lie unused.

Ronaldo saw some of the machinations involving FIFA and the CBF at close hand as he was on the World Cup organizing committee.

On Tuesday, another former Brazilian world champion, Romario, welcomed Blatter's demise and likewise urged reform at the CBF, saying a "tsunami" was breaking over football which would sweep away corrupt officials.

Another top former Brazilian star, Zico, late Tuesday said in a post to social media he might stand for the FIFA presidency.