By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 29 – Sepp Blatter clinched victory over Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan today, moving into a fifth four-year term of office at the age of 79 but not quite with the two-thirds majority many had predicted. In dramatic scenes Prince Ali announced his withdrawal from the contest. He received a standing ovation as he left the platform while Blatter was cheered as he once again took centre stage
On arguably the most important day in his often troubled and fractious 17 years in charge, Blatter won by 133 votes to 73 to stay in charge of an organisation he has run for 17 years. The votes of three of the 209 federations were not valid.
Clearly unable to make up sufficient ground in a second round of voting, Prince Ali, half Blatter’s age at 39, conceded defeat – just as Lennart Johansson had done back in 1998. Milking the applause as he contemplated the next four years, Blatter paid tribute to Prince Ali for not taking the ballot into a second round for purely symbolic reasons.
“He’s had a very good result, he could have said ‘lets go further’, perhaps he’ll receive more votes’,” said Blatter before promising to answer his critics despite his age.
Showing humour for the first time in the proceedings in the face of almost constant pressure, Blatter added: “Age is no problem. Some people look old at 50! To be honest I was a bit nervous. But will take the responsibility to bring back FIFA and pass a more robust organisation on to my successor.”
Both candidates had been given 15 minutes to address delegates and Prince Ali told delegates that “everything was at stake for the game and the world” following the most serious headline-grabbing corruption crisis ever to hit FIFA.
“There could not be a more defining time as this one,” said Prince Ali who spoke of a “new beginning” and pledging to “fix this mess we are in and deliver a FIFA we can all be proud of. “
The Jordanian royal put everything he could into urging candidates to give him a chance. “Listen to your conscience and listen to your hearts,” he said. But it was not enough to get him anywhere close to the present incumbent.
Blatter went second and in his speech referred to the “storm that has shaken us over the last few days” and told delegates they should stick with him “to recover our good name”
But far from celebrating another triumph, Blatter will not be able to simply rest on his laurels if he is to appease his critics. Something he recognised in his final message, saying: “I am being held accountable. OK, I will shoulder it, I will accept it and I want to fix FIFA together with you. To do it now, tomorrow, the day after and in the weeks, months ahead.
“At the end of my term of office I want to hand a strong FIFA. A FIFA that is integrated and strong and that does not need the political intervention from wherever they come from. I promise you.”
In closing he said: “I am here and quite simply I would just like to stay with you. I would like to continue with you. It is a matter of trust and respect. If you want me I thank you for it.”
Blatter got his wish, and the world is watching.
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