Joseph S. Blatter has been re-elected President of football’s world governing body FIFA.
Blatter, who is 79, will now serve a fifth term in office having first been elected in 1998.
He retained his presidency following a victory over his sole challenger, Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan who pulled out of the elections following a great margin of defeat in the first round of elections in Zurich, Switzerland on Friday.
Blatter earned 133 votes to Prince Ali’s 73 forcing the elections into a second round, with neither candidate able to secure two-thirds of the votes cast.
However, Prince Ali conceded, handing Blatter victory in the elections.
The final result, though widely expected, surprised many who had been expecting a first round victory for Blatter despite numerous controversies that have plagued the body during Blatter’s tenure, culminating in the arrest of several key FIFA officials days before the polls.
‘God will help us bring back FIFA’
Blatter, in his victory speech spoke of his faith that FIFA would return to its past glory and that he would hand over reigns to his successor in a strong position’
“We have some organisational problems. We need women in this committee, we have to do more. I will not touch the World Cup, it is too important.
“I take responsibility to bring back Fifa, with you we will do it, I am convinced.
“I am a faithful man, now God, Allah or whoever we believe in, they will help us to bring back Fifa. I promise you at the end of my term I will give Fifa to my successor in a very strong position.”
‘Age is no problem’
Blatter also brushed aside concerns about his age which has often been the main point of contention for his opponents
“The age is no problem. Some people are 50 and look old.
“I like you and I like my job and I would like to be with you. I am not perfect but we will do a good job together. Let’s go Fifa, let’s go Fifa!”
How voting happened
Voting in the FIFA Presidential elections was done via a secret ballot.
Each FIFA member state, of which there are 209, voted once with voting done in alphabetical order.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) had the highest number of votes with 54 associations followed by Europe (UEFA) with 53.
Asia (AFC) had 46 votes, North and Central America (CONCACAF) 35, Oceania (OFC) 11 and South America (CONMEBOL) 10.
By: Edwin Kwakofi/citifmonline.com/Ghana