The match-fixing investigations rocking Italian football represent the biggest scandal in footballing history, according to Fifa president Sepp Blatter.
Allegations of corruption have engulfed Serie A in this season's run-in, with club officials, referees and players all coming under scrutiny.
Blatter feels the outcome of the Italian Federation's inquiries will have reverberations around the footballing world.
"At the moment, this is the biggest scandal in footballing history," he told Corriere dello Sport.
"It might be understandable in a little African country, but Italy is at the centre of the footballing world and so the scandal damages the image of the whole of world football.
"The inquiries are not finished yet and while they remain open we must presume innocence.
"Only the Italian Federation can withdraw names from their World Cup squad. We are not the judges and so we cannot withdraw anyone.
"Should the Federation choose to do so, then we will act accordingly."
There have been suggestions in Italy that the leagues be suspended for next season, until the outcome is known, but the controversial Fifa supremo is less than enamoured with that idea.
"That would be the death of football. It's impossible for people who believe in the sport to do that," he said.
The Italian Federation's investigations continue.
