GENEVA : Beating the entry deadline by hours on Thursday, Sepp Blatter formally joined a FIFA presidential contest he is widely expected to win.
Blatter published a low-key message on Twitter confirming an expected bid to extend his scandal-scarred, 17-year leadership of football’s wealthy governing body by four more years.
“Today is a key date in the electoral calendar. I’ve made my submission, now the electoral committee follow a process,” wrote Blatter, who is headed to the Asian Cup final in Sydney on Saturday.
Blatter could travel with confidence, knowing Asia is home to some of his most loyal supporters. A majority of FIFA’s 209 member federations seem content to overlook allegations of tainted elections and World Cup hosting bids while FIFA pays increasing bonuses from tournament profits with $1.5 billion in reserve.
Still, Blatter could be seated for the Australia vs. South Korea final close to two FIFA vice presidents plotting against him.
Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan has declared his intention to stand, while UEFA President Michel Platini is central to Europe-led efforts opposing Blatter, including supporting the prince’s campaign.
Europe’s anti-Blatter strategy intensified on Wednesday when Portugal great Luis Figo became a surprise contender, and UEFA executive committee Michael van Praag of the Netherlands set out manifesto highlights including the clearest incentive yet for voters.
Van Praag’s plan for expanding the 32-team World Cup — FIFA’s cash cow to include more non-European teams hinted at what football’s richest continent must do to persuade other regions about Blatter and FIFA’s damaged image.
Launching his progressive views in Amsterdam, the Dutch federation president also became the first contender to identify his five nominating countries as demanded by FIFA election rules. Van Praag has support from Belgium, Faeroe Islands, Romania, Scotland and Sweden.
Two more European contenders both French, and operating outside UEFA’s influence have sought nominations by the 2300 GMT deadline.
Jerome Champagne, a former FIFA international relations director and longtime Blatter ally, has published the most detailed manifesto, while former player David Ginola has been discredited by being paid 250,000 pounds ($380,000) to run by a betting firm sponsor. (AGENCIES)
Follow our WhatsApp channel