After winning an extended four-year run as president, Blatter promises to steer FIFA's ship into clear waters
FIFA president Sepp Blatter was re-elected head of world football yesterday, and he vowed to clean up the body's tarnished image following a series of explosive corruption allegations.
Blatter, 75, was given a free run at another four-year term following the withdrawal on Sunday of Asian football chief Mohamed bin Hammam, who was later suspended amid claims he tried to bribe voters with cash-filled envelopes.
Delegates at FIFA's 61st congress returned Blatter by a landslide of 186 votes out of 203 after an 11th-hour call for a postponement of the election by England's Football Association ended in a crushing defeat.
"We will put FIFA's ship back onto the right course in clear, transparent waters," Blatter said after clinching victory. "We will need some time but we shall do it. Our pyramid is strong because the foundation is strong."
Blatter, who took over FIFA in 1998, has faced widespread calls for reform following allegations of sleaze surrounding the bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, awarded to Russia and Qatar.
ADVERTISEMENT
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
