Blatter re-elected as FIFA President with huge support

By Duncan Mackay in Zurich

June 1 – Sepp Blatter was today officially re-elected here as President of FIFA, extending a controversial reign that began in 1998.

The 75-year-old Swiss received 186 of the 203 votes cast at the Congress – with 17 abstentions, including England, whose attempt earlier in the day to get the election postponed proved a massive failure and merely served to show how isolated internationally the Football Association are.

But it was nevertheless a huge show of support for a man who only a week ago, faced with the challenge of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Mohamed Bin Hammam, appeared to be fighting for his future.

To win, he needed only to get 50 per cent of the 203 votes plus one, or 102 votes, which was a foregone conclusion once Bin Hammam was removed from the race snared in a web of bribery and corruption allegations.

“I thank you from the bottom of my heart,” said Blatter after returning to the hall of the Hallenstadion to triumphant music having absenced himself while the marathon voting took place.

“Together we will have four years, provided the Lord gives me life, the energy and the strength to continue on our path and do to our job.”

Blatter has seemed reinvigorated the last few days, knowing, that with his only rival debarred from the contest, he would achieve his ambition of serving one final term in the role he clearly loves.

He must now move quickly to stem the tide of criticism that is threatening to sink FIFA.

“I’m happy that we were able to bring today into FIFA this solidarity, this unity, that enables us, with sufficient courage and a positive standpoint, to move forward…we are going to put FIFA’s ship back on the right course, in clear, transparent waters,” he said following being elected for a fourth time.

“We will need some time, we cannot do it from one day to the next, but our pyramid is intact because the foundation is solid, just as solid as our game.

“I would simply like to tell you that I am touched and honoured and I thank you.

“But at the same time this is a challenge for me, and I accept it.

“Let’s go together.

“Something marvellous has happened today.”

Blatter then asked the Congress to back the proposals he had made earlier in the day, letting the 208 member federations choose the host for the World Cup and picking the members of the Ethics Committee.

Unsurprisingly, it received overwhelming support with 176 members backing it.

Blatter also then announced plans to coop a woman onto the FIFA Executive Committee, following the lead set by UEFA at its Congress in Paris in March.

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