Francois Carrard, the man appointed to lead FIFA's reform commission, says Sepp Blatter has been unfairly pilloried, the FIFA corruption case involves "only a few rogues" and that football in the United States is just "an ethnic sport for girls in schools."

Swiss lawyer Carrard, a former director general of the International Olympic Committee, made the comments in an interview with Le Matin in which he revealed his intentions for the reform process.

Carrard said he was convinced there was a will within FIFA to reform and that it is in a "deep crisis."

Asked about Blatter, who is stepping down in February, Carrard added: "There is something unfair in the way he has been treated. He certainly made mistakes, but he also brought positive elements.

"Unfortunately, it's always like that when somebody stays too long, the negative takes over. This man is being treated unfairly. And if we talk about corruption ... I have on my table all the U.S. proceedings. In the indictment, there is not a word against him. Nothing."

Carrard also said he struggled to understand why the United States had become involved in FIFA as football was not "a true American sport."

He added: "For the U.S., football, soccer, does not have the same weight as baseball, basketball and American football. There, it's just an ethnic sport for girls in schools. In addition, the case involves only a few 'rogues,' including at the FIFA executive committee, who have filled their pockets from continental competitions."

Francois Carrard previously worked as director general of the International Olympic Committee. Ian Waldie/Getty Images

Carrard was at the IOC when the Salt Lake City corruption scandal erupted and the organisation faced a similar crisis to the one currently being experienced by FIFA.

Outlining plans for the FIFA reform commission, he said two people appointed by sponsors will sit on a separate independent board to oversee the process.

He added that he made having the five-strong advisory board a pre-condition of accepting the position and that it will work as a counter-balance to the FIFA-appointed reform commission if he is not happy with its work.