FIFA president Sepp Blatter has dropped the strongest hint yet that he is ready to stand for re-election as head of football’s global governing body, according to UK-based body SportsBusiness.
Blatter has been president of FIFA since 1998 and has repeatedly hinted that he will stand for a fifth term in office next year, in spite of initially promising that his current four-year term would be his last.
The incumbent head of world football body has previously said he would make a decision at FIFA Congress, which will be held in June ahead of the World Cup in Brazil.
When asked if he would ask for the support of the FIFA Congress to run again, Blatter told a Swiss newspaper: “I want to do it because it is not over yet.
“My term is indeed over, but my mission is not finished yet.’’
Speaking in March, UEFA president Michel Platini, claimed that he is the only person capable of defeating Blatter in an election for the top job at football’s global governing body.
The 58-year-old head of the European football’s governing body reiterated that he had not decided whether to stand for the FIFA presidency next year, but added: “There is only one person who can beat Blatter – me.’’
In January, Jerome Champagne launched his bid to stand for the FIFA presidency in 2015, but immediately cast uncertainty over his prospects for victory by admitting that he would be unlikely to defeat the 78-year-old Blatter.
Platini’s fellow Frenchman had served as one of Blatter’s key advisers until he left his post as director of international relations in 2010, having worked for FIFA in an 11-year spell that included a spell as deputy secretary general. (PANA/NAN)
