Voting in the FIFA Presidential elections is underway, with incumbent Sepp Blatter expected to win another term.
World football’s governing body has been rocked by scandal this week, with several high-ranking officials arrested on corruption charges, and Swiss authorities investigating the bidding process of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Voting in the FIFA Presidential elections is underway, with incumbent Sepp Blatter expected to win another term.
World football’s governing body has been rocked by scandal this week, with several high-ranking officials arrested on corruption charges, and Swiss authorities investigating the bidding process of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Blatter is expected to win a fifth term as President, as while UEFA members are expected to vote against him, each of the 209 members gets one vote, irrespective of size, and the Austrian commands huge support in Africa and Asia.
“I will take it upon myself. I will accept this responsibility and I want to fix FIFA together with you,” Blatter told delegates in his final address.
“At the end of my term of office I want to hand over a strong FIFA. Corruption is a word that is bandied around so much. We also have to protect our house from racism, match-fixing, violence.
“I would just like to stay with you, I would like to continue with you.”
His opponent, Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein used his own speech to call for change.
“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.
“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.”