FIFA chief Blatter ready to run again despite opposition
SAO PAULO – FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Wednesday all but confirmed he would run for re-election despite criticism the game and organisation have been tarnished by accusations of corruption during his long reign.
World soccer’s governing body is reeling after allegations in Britain’s Sunday Times that a former top FIFA representative made payments to officials as part of a campaign to win support for Qatar’s successful bid to host the 2022 World Cup.
Yet Blatter, who has led FIFA for 16 years, made no direct reference to the scandal throughout Wednesday’s annual Congress, and instead pressed his case to extend his tenure.
“My mission is not finished,” he told officials from FIFA’s 209 member associations at the close of Congress, held in Sao Paulo on the eve of the opening game of Brazil’s 2014 World Cup.
“Congress, you will decide who will take this great institution forward, but I can tell you I am ready to accompany you in the future,” he added.
Blatter, who ignored calls made this week by European countries not to run again in next year’s FIFA election, enjoys the support of enough delegates to have his way even if he will not be unopposed.
Former FIFA Deputy Secretary General Jerome Champagne, who announced his candidacy for the top job last year, later said in a statement he was looking forward to an open debate about the issues facing the game ahead of the vote.
“No one should fear this open discussion in front of the people of football, which would honour those organising and conducting it,” it read.
