FA chairman David Bernstein said in a statement: "The FA board has today agreed to abstain in the vote for the presidency of Fifa.

"There are a well-reported range of issues both recent and current which, in the view of the FA board, make it difficult to support either candidate.

"The FA values its relationships with its international football partners extremely highly. We are determined to play an active and influential role through our representation within both Uefa and Fifa.

"We will continue to work hard to bring about any changes we think would benefit all of international football."

Bernstein met both Bin Hammam and Blatter last month and the Fifa president said he believed his message had convinced the FA chairman – but admitted the rest of the board may have other ideas.

"I explained to Mr Bernstein the part the FA has played in the world of football, especially in the development of modern football and the laws of the game," added Blatter.

"This is also about the privileges of the four British associations given in 1946 – four individual votes, one vice-president, half the international FA board.

"They have a lot of prerogatives and rights but with these come responsibility.

"He asked me what Fifa could do for England. I said, 'I will turn around the question and ask what can you do for football'.

"You do a lot for the development of football and especially with the wonderful, effective and efficient Premier League they should ask what can they do for Fifa?

"I am sure he got the message, he understood exactly what I said, he is on the right way but I am not sure if the whole board is on the same way."