MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Without a wink of remorse, Blatter celebrates FIFA's fifth re-election victory
Neither Blatter nor Jordanian challenger Prince Ali bin Al Hussein got the necessary two thirds of the vote in the first round 
In a victory speech, Blatter declared: “Let's go FIFA, let's go FIFA,” to a standing ovation. Sepp Blatter was re-elected president of FIFA for a fifth term on Friday after the only other candidate conceded defeat after a first round of voting in an election overshadowed by allegations of corruption in world soccer. Blatter's victory came despite demands that he quit in the face of a major bribery scandal being investigated by US, Swiss and other law enforcement agencies.
Neither Blatter nor Jordanian challenger Prince Ali bin Al Hussein got the necessary two thirds of the vote in the first round, with Blatter on 133 and Prince Ali on 73. Prince Ali later conceded.
In a victory speech, Blatter declared: “Let's go FIFA, let's go FIFA,” to a standing ovation.
Speaking just before the vote, Blatter, who joined FIFA in 1975, said he felt that he had only been with the organization for a short time and wanted to stay longer.
“What is time anyway. I find that the time I have spent at FIFA is very short,” he said. “The more one ages the more time flies by quickly. I am with you, and I would like to stay with you,” he said to applause.
Prince Ali, in his pitch for votes, had pledged an open, more democratic FIFA, saying: “We have heard in recent days, voices which described our FIFA as an avaricious body which feeds on the game that the world loves.
”There are no easy answers. And no blame that can be cast that will wash away the stain that marks us all,” he said.
While Asian, African and Latin American states had been expected to rally around Blatter, Europe, which accounts for all but three of the countries that have ever made it to a World Cup's final match, had been keen for him to step aside.
Top Comments
Disclaimer & comment rules-
-
-
Read all commentsBrasil-FIFA has 'escaped' back to Brasil,
May 30th, 2015 - 12:18 pm 0presumably so Dilma can do the honourable thing and let Dilma give back the millions of $Real handed over in corruption during the World Cup.
He was voted in by the voting blocks of Africa, Asia and S. America - where corruption is the daily norm in politics and much of the rest of everyday life. They are all more than happy to see Blatter continue in post for as long as he is able because they have all been doing very nicely from FIFA thank you. Why would they want to de-select a president who has been looking after their interests so well? The same things happen in lots of international organisations especially where regions vote in blocks rather than individually.
May 30th, 2015 - 01:35 pm 0Perhaps, it is time now to raise Mr. Blatter's salary.
May 30th, 2015 - 02:19 pm 0Philippe
Commenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!