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FIFA challenger Ali withdraws as Blatter wins election

Sepp Blatter has won a fifth term as President of FIFA, despite widespread calls for him to step ...



FIFA challenger Ali withdraws...
Soccer

FIFA challenger Ali withdraws as Blatter wins election

Sepp Blatter has won a fifth term as President of FIFA, despite widespread calls for him to step down over the corruption scandal engulfing the organisation.

The ballot was due to go to a second round after the 79-year-old incumbent narrowly failed to get two-thirds of the votes in the first round.

But his re-election was confirmed when challenger Prince Ali bin al Hussein of Jordan conceded, having won just 73 votes to Mr Blatter's 133.

It means he retains the post at the head of football's international governing body he has held since 1998.

In his acceptance speech, Mr Blatter told delegates: "Thank you that you accepted me, for the next four years that I will be in command of this boat called FIFA and we will bring it back.

"We will bring it back offshore and bring it back to the beach, we will bring it back where finally football can be played (as) beach soccer. We can play everywhere. I was thinking, I was in meditation, I said, no, God, Allah or whoever is the extraordinary spirit in the world that we believe, help us to bring back this FIFA where we shall be.

"And I promise you, in the end of my care, I will give this FIFA to my successor in a very strong position. You will ask me what age but it is not age, it is not a problem, I have always told you. I am not perfect. Nobody is perfect. But we will do a good job together, I am sure. So I thank you so much. I thank you for the trust and confidence, trust and confidence together we go, let's go FIFA, let's go FIFA."

FIFA Presidential candidate H.R.H Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan looks on prior to the 65th FIFA Congress at the Hallenstadion on May 29, 2015 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Explaining why he had conceded, as he left the venue in Zurich, Prince Ali said: "There are 73 national associations out there who are really brave and I did it for them. I don't want them to be in any more trouble. That is why I did it."

It comes after the US Department of Justice charged a total of 14 people over alleged bribes totalling more than $150m (£98m).

The charges have prompted a number of figures to call for Mr Blatter to quit, including Prime Minister David Cameron - who said "the sooner that happens the better".

Reacting to the result, Football Association chairman Greg Dyke said: "I think we all expected him to win.
"Prince Ali got it to a second ballot (and that) wouldn't have happened if this vote had happened a week ago.

"But I think this isn't over by any means. The events of this week are so traumatic for FIFA that I cannot see FIFA reforming itself under Blatter. He's had 16 years to reform it, he hasn't done it."

Both candidates gave speeches to delegates before the vote, Prince Ali saying "FIFA is not just about one man" and adding that "it will take a committed leader to fix this mess we are in".

Mr Blatter said: "You know who you are dealing with. I also know that I can count on you. I am with you. I would just like to stay with you. It is a matter of trust."

The bribes alleged by US authorities paid for television rights, sponsorship deals and World Cup votes.

Mr Blatter has claimed it was "individuals" within FIFA who stood accused of corruption - not the whole of the organisation.

But the UK Serious Fraud Office has revealed it is actively assessing "material in its possession" relating to FIFA corruption allegations.

Barclays, HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank were allegedly used to transfer cash as part of the conspiracy, US prosecutors allege.

And Swiss authorities say they are looking into the controversial decisions to award the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 tournament to Qatar.

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