By Duncan Mackay
May 12 – Sepp Blatter was given another boost in his bid to be re-elected as FIFA president when the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) announced that it would back him against Asian football chief Mohamed Bin Hammam.
The OFC became the third region to declare its support for Blatter, who is bidding for a fourth term at the electin in Zurich on June 1, following Europe and South America.
Ocenia’s support comes despite Tahiti’s Reynald Temarii being one of two FIFA Executive Committee members suspended for allegedly offering to sell their votes in the 2018 and 2022 World Cup hosting contest to undercover newspaper reporters from The Sunday Times.
Then Australia were swept aside in voting for the 2022 World Cup, being eliminated in the first round with only vote as Qatar were awarded the tournament.
Australia is no longer part of the Oceania Confederation but a World Cup there would have had enornmous benefits for the region.
But it is Blatter’s continued support for the development of the sport in Oceania that is cited as the reason for them supporting him.
“OFC has confirmed its support for the re-election of FIFA President Joseph Blatter citing a range of initiatives that have positively impacted the region under his leadership,” the OFC, which has 11 member associations, said in a statement.
“OFC President David Chung says all members agreed that the current FIFA administration has had a significant impact on the development and popularity of football across the Pacific.
Although Oceania is FIFA’s weakest region in playing terms, its 11 members mean the region carries more weight in the Presidential election than South America which has only 10.
“While all member associations have an independent right to decide on which candidate to vote for, President Chung says today’s decision highlights the unity and transparency within the Confederation,” said the OFC statement.
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