Speaking at a seminar organised by the Swiss Sport Forum here, Blatter said: "I'm horrified by the lack of enthusiasm that prevails as much in German Switzerland as in western Switzerland."

"Since we gained the right to host Euro 2008 the first thing Swiss think of is: 'how much will this cost us? That's a lot'."

But Blatter added a rallying call to his comrades, saying: "Let's roll up our sleeves."

Blatter also said players at the tournament should pay taxes on their Euro 2008 earnings in the two countries hosting the event.

Recalling last year's World Cup, Blatter said: "FIFA took away tax at source and paid it to the German authorities. Where you earn your money is where you should pay taxes, that is correct and fair."

The question of where tax should be imposed is at the centre of a dispute between UEFA, who organise the European Championships, and the town of Berne.

UEFA believes players should pay their taxes where they live whereas Berne is asking for their Euro 2008 taxes to be paid in Switzerland and Austria.