For the Fifth Time, Blatter wins FIFA’s Presidency, Prince Ali withdraws
The corruption crisis engulfing FIFA failed to topple Sepp Blatter on Friday as he was elected president for a fifth term.
The Swiss will continue to lead world football’s governing body into his eighties after winning by a majority of 133 to 73 in the first round of the vote at the FIFA Congress in Zurich.
Blatter was just seven short of a majority and his opponent, Prince Ali bin al-Hussein decided to withdraw before the second round.
Despite 73 member associations throwing their support behind Blatter’s sole opponent, there will be no change at the top of the embattled organisation.
It means Blatter, 79, will remain at the helm as authorities in the United States lead an investigation into endemic racketeering, bribery and money laundering involving leading FIFA officials going back decades.
The result also significantly increases the prospect of European nations boycotting future World Cups, as mooted by president Michel Platini on Thursday.
FA Chairman Greg Dyke told Sky News the England team will not withdraw from any tournaments on its own.
He added that he would be ‘very surprised’ if Blatter was still FIFA president in two years, saying: ‘I cannot see FIFA reforming itself under Blatter – he’s had 16 years to do it.’
Football Association chairman Greg Dyke says he would be ‘very surprised’ if Sepp Blatter was still FIFA president in two years.
In his acceptance speech, Blatter, who has been in charge since 1998 and will serve another four years said: ‘First of all I would like to give compliments and express my gratitude to his Royal Highness Prince Ali.
‘He was a competitor, a challenger and he has obtained a very good result. He could have easily said ‘let’s go further – perhaps I will receive more votes’.
‘I thank you that you accepted me and for the next four years I will be in command of this boat called FIFA and we will bring it back off shore and back to the beach. We will finally bring ot back to where football can be played.
‘I take the responsibility to bring back FIFA and I am convinced we can do it. I’m a faithful man and God will help us bring back FIFA to where it should be. I promise you that at the end of this term I will give FIFA to my successor in a strong position.’
The victory is also set to see further protests from UEFA – the first action has come from David Gill, the Football Association vice-chairman who will reject the post of British vice-president as he does not want to serve under Blatter.
Gill will not attend the post-Congress executive committee meeting on Saturday where a decision is set to be taken on the allocation of World Cup places to each confederation.
UEFA president Michel Platini reiterated his desire for change within FIFA, saying: ‘I am proud UEFA has supported a movement for change at FIFA, which in my opinion is crucial.’
And former Portugul star Luis Figo, who stood in the early stages of the election, said: ‘This vote has only served to endorse the election of a man who can’t remain in charge of world football.
‘Mr Blatter had a very cynical reaction when he said he couldn’t control everyone. It offends everyone’s intelligence.’
Prince Ali’s speech calling for reform ahead of the vote failed to win over delegates committed to returning Blatter to office.
The Jordanian prince said: ‘We have heard in recent days, voices which described our FIFA as an avaricious body which feeds on the game that the world loves.
‘We have heard questions raised about whether our family is morally bankrupt. And we have heard countless individuals ponder how on earth it could have gotten so bad.
‘There are no easy answers. And no blame that can be cast that will wash away the stain that marks us all.
‘And yet, nothing in life can exist without hope. And even the darkest nights are broken by a new dawn.’
The 39-year-old head of the Jordanian FA added: ‘Change is not an event. It is a process. It is not about empowering wrong doing and then demanding to root it out.
‘Our path – and our way to the future – must be lit by the creation of a culture that empowers transparency, inclusivity and accountability.
‘Our rehabilitation in public perception will only come through the actions and work of all of us, together, pulling in the same direction, for the good of the sport, and for FIFA.’
Earlier, in a rambling speech to open Friday’s FIFA Congress, beleaguered Blatter claimed things would be different if two other countries had emerged from the envelopes.
He meant England for 2018 and USA for 2022 – a dig at the British media who have led the anti-Blatter agenda and the FBI, whose investigations led to seven arrests and 14 officials indicted on bribery and kickback charges by the US Attorney.
Blatter said: ‘They call into question the World Cups of 2018 and 2022. In December 2010 here in Zurich when we decided on the two World Cups in one session.
‘If two other countries had emerged from the envelopes, we would not have these problems today. But we can’t go back in time, we are not prophets. We can’t say what would have happened.’
On the other side, Social media has been almost unanimous in its anger over Sepp Blatter’s re-election as FIFA president amid the £100million corruption scandal gripping the organisation.
Professional footballers past and present have united with football fans around the world to condemn the 79-year-old’s victory, which will see him head up the powerful organisation for a fifth term.
Leading the vitriol against Blatter was former England international Gary Lineker who said ‘the only way this revolting organisation will change is if the major football federations walk out’.
Portuguese legend Luis Figo also condemned the decision by saying ‘football has lost’ and FA Chairman Greg Dyke said there is no chance of FIFA reforming itself under Blatter.
The Frenchman claimed during his acceptance speech that he will command the ‘boat of FIFA’ and ‘we will bring it back to shore’.
To which Match of the Day host Lineker replied: ‘Too late, the boat has already capsized with you at the helm.’
‘As predictable as it is depressing. All those FIFA members that voted for Blatter have betrayed the game they are supposed to cherish.
His scathing comments were backed up by former Portugal international Luis Figo who withdrew his presidential candidacy last week.
He said: ‘Today was another dark day in Zurich. FIFA has lost, but above everything, football has lost and everyone who truly cares about it has lost too.
‘This vote has only served to endorse the election of a man who can’t remain in charge of world football. Mr Blatter…being re-elected shows exactly how the organisation is sick.
‘Mr Blatter had a very cynical reaction when he said that he couldn’t control everyone. It offends everyone’s intelligence.
Source: Daily Mail
