Lineker: I wouldn't host World Cup draw with Blatter still in charge

Gary Lineker would've rejected the invitation to host the 2018 World Cup draw had Sepp Blatter remained in charge of football's governing body.

In the end, Lineker accepted the paid gig in Moscow despite being one of the organisation's biggest critics in recent years. The decision drew intense scrutiny from fans and journalist who see an inherent conflict of interest.

But having called FIFA a "dictatorship" under Blatter, the former Leicester City and Barcelona striker now says he's seen enough change within FIFA's ranks.

He will emcee the event on Friday along with Russian journalist Maria Komandnaya.

"If Blatter had still been in charge, I would not have done it," Lineker told The Telegraph's Ben Rumsby. "So they are marking changes and it is only fair to give them an opportunity."

A 2015 investigation by Swiss authorities led to the arrests of several FIFA officials and calls for change. The FBI joined the worldwide search after indicting high-ranking executives for racketeering, fraud, and money laundering. Many of them have since been arraigned in U.S. courts.

"Most of the old guard, the ones responsible for the corruption, are now, thankfully, either suspended or locked up or about to be locked up," Lineker added. "I am not naive enough to think that all the problems will go away, but I wouldn't have (hosted the draw) if it was still the old guard with Blatter."