IT should come as little surprise that Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has come to the defence of suspended Fifa president Sepp Blatter.

After all, F1 is an autocracy under Ecclestone’s rule and Fifa has effectively been the same under Blatter, as allegations of corruption continue to stink the place out.

The actions of Blatter’s organisation have been condemned by just about every right-thinking person on the planet.

So for Ecclestone to declare that the Swiss should not have stepped down or have his leadership challenged is bewilderingly bonkers.

Does he not realise how foolish those remarks make him look?

Apparently, this isn’t the case.

“If people allegedly have been corrupted to make things happen in their country, it’s good,” Ecclestone went on to tell a Russian television channel, as if that makes everything OK.

Such comments from such a powerful figure in world sport are more than just a little concerning, particularly when you consider that he also is an advocate of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Sports being run by one, immensely-influential individual is a dangerous thing.

Having someone to hold to account is a vital part of a democratic process and initiating change.

Ecclestone, however, has also said there is “no place for democracy”. Which doesn’t bode well.

Mercifully, it appears Fifa is set for the wholesale change that has been so desperately needed in recent years, to clean up the image of the global game.

Ecclestone’s support for Blatter is alarming but won’t stop that from happening.