Fifa president Sepp Blatter has confirmed his intentions to run for a fifth term when elections are held to choose the president of football's governing body.
The 78-year-old was widely expected to stand for the elections, set to be held in June of next year, despite calls for Batter to finally step down.
In office since 1998, Blatter back in 2011 informed UEFA that this would be his last term as FIFA president, but has now stated he will officially inform the executive committee of his plan when they commence their next meeting, on 25 and 26 September.
In 2013, at a UEFA congress, Blatter told delegates he will part ways with his position come 2015, saying: “You know very well that I am a candidate for the next four years as Fifa president but these will be the last four years for which I stand as a candidate.”
But now, in a video interview played at the Soccerex conference in Manchester, Blatter was quoted as saying: “I will inform the executive committee. It’s a question of respect also to say then to the football family: ‘Yes I will be ready. I will be a candidate.’”
Sepp Blatter confirms he will run for fifth term as Fifa president
Sepp Blatter has confirmed that he will stand for a 5th term as FIFA president #SSFootball
— SuperSport Blitz (@SuperSportBlitz) September 8, 2014
The Fifa president also went on to say: “You see a mission is never finished. And my mission is not finished.
“Then I got through the last congress in São Paulo not only the impression but the support of the majority, a huge majority of national associations asking: ‘Please go on, be our president also in future.’ ”
Blatter is expected to retain his post, as five out of the six football confederations have thrown their support behind the 78-year-old, with UEFA, led by Michel Platini, alongside the European nations of England and Scotland, going against Blatter's plans to run in 2015.
Sepp Blatter in @Soccerex interview on his intention to stand for re-election as FIFA president: "My mission has not finished."
— Bryan Swanson (@skysports_bryan) September 8, 2014
Twiter reacts:
As expected, Sepp Blatter confirms he'll stand once again for re-election as FIFA President
— Dan Roan (@danroan) September 8, 2014
Me upon hearing the news of @SeppBlatter standing for reelection as President of FIFA. pic.twitter.com/WsAi6hcbGR
— Lee Scovell (@PorkChopExcess) September 8, 2014
So glad Sepp Blatter is really in tune with what the football world want and is running for a 5th corrupt time... Should have term limits
— MUFC Voice (@TheMUFCVoice) September 8, 2014
What does it take for someone to stand against Sepp Blatter? Someone give me a list or requirements and I'll see if I can tick them off.
— Adrian Egley (@adyady14) September 8, 2014
Sepp Blatter needs reminding that the terms of office are not supposed to be the same as the pope and he should follow the lead of Benedict
— Mike Hoxard (@MikeHoxard) September 8, 2014
Why is Sepp Blatter running for FIFA presidency again? Somebody best challenge against him #BlatterOut
— Ben Yaffe (@BenYaffe1) September 8, 2014
'Sepp Blatter'.....is officially the 'Robert Mugabe' of World Fottball Governing Body
— RankyLicious (@patoranky) September 8, 2014
.@SeppBlatter: "my mission is not finished." Would that be the mission to completely corrupt world football? #FIFA
— Matt Zuvela (@mzuvela) September 8, 2014
How is Sepp Blatter even allowed to stand for a fifth term? #corrupt #fifa @FIFAcom
— Vass Koni (@vkon1) September 8, 2014
So Fifa will be corrupt a while longer then @SeppBlatter
— GoonRambler (@GoonRambler) September 8, 2014
With the deadline to register as a candidate being in January 2015, Platini has publicly stated he will not throw his hat in the ring for the FIFA presidency, leaving former deputy secretary general Jerome Champagne as the only man confirmed to be running against Sepp.
