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Unsinkable Blatter!

Sport
The corruption crisis engulfing Fifa failed to topple Sepp Blatter last night as he was elected president for a fifth term.

ZURICH — The corruption crisis engulfing Fifa failed to topple Sepp Blatter last night as he was elected president for a fifth term.

The Swiss will continue to lead world football’s governing body into his eighties after winning by a majority of 133 to 73 in the first round of the vote at the Fifa Congress in Zurich.

Blatter was just seven short of a majority and his opponent, Prince Ali bin al-Hussein decided to withdraw before the second round.

Despite 73 member associations throwing their support behind Blatter’s sole opponent, there will be no change at the top of the embattled organisation.

It means Blatter (79) will remain at the helm as authorities in the United States lead an investigation into endemic racketeering, bribery and money laundering involving leading Fifa officials going back decades.

In his speech after the victory, Blatter said: “I would like to give confidence and express my gratitude to his Royal Highness Prince Ali.

“Because Prince Ali was a competitor, a challenger and he has obtained a very good result and he, in a certain situation, easily could have said ‘no, let’s go further, perhaps I will receive more votes.’

“On the other hand, thank you for the next four years. I will command Fifa. I will bring it back to the beach from offshore, we can play everywhere but we have to work on that.”

“We have also to make some organisational problems inside Fifa and the executive committee because we must have better representation of all the confederations.

“And again we need in this committee, we need ladies . . . we have to do more, and more in our competitions also. I will not touch the World Cup but for the other competitions especially the World Under-17s, Under-20s.

“We will have more respect for Oceania, they have only one slot on the executive committee, one at the World Cup.

“I take the responsibility to bring back Fifa. I’m convinced we can do it. I am a faithful man, God, Allah or whatever it is, the spirit, will help us bring back Fifa to where it should be.

“I am not perfect. Nobody is perfect. I thank you so much for the confidence, together we go. Let’s go Fifa! Let’s go Fifa!” Prince Ali addressed the assembly: “It’s been an honour,” he said, before swiftly leaving the building.

The result also significantly increases the prospect of European nations boycotting future World Cups, as mooted by president Michel Platini on Thursday.

Before the election, Qatar defended its successful 2022 World Cup bid following corruption scandals in soccer’s governing body Fifa and said it would carry on with plans to stage the event.

Qatar’s World Cup organising committee said in a statement Qatar had conducted its 2022 bid with integrity and to the highest ethical standards, but it would comply with further investigations into the award if asked.

“We wish to reiterate that we have fully complied with every investigation that has been initiated concerning the 2018/22 bidding process and will continue to do so, should this be requested,” it said.

Qatar beat bids from Australia, Japan, the United States and South Korea. Opting to host the world’s top soccer tournament in a small desert state where daytime summer temperatures rarely fall below 40 degrees Celsius startled many in global sport.

Among those opposing the decision were Europe’s leading clubs and human rights groups highlighting tough working conditions in Qatar’s construction sector.

In 2014, Britain’s Sunday Times newspaper alleged Qatari former Fifa executive committee member Mohamed Bin Hammam had lobbied on behalf of his countrymen, paying out millions in cash, gifts and junkets, especially to African officials.

Qatar has consistently said Bin Hammam played no official or unofficial role in Qatar’s 2022 Bid Committee.

Bin Hammam was banned from soccer for life in July 2011 after being found guilty of attempted bribery surrounding his bid to beat incumbent Fifa president Sepp Blatter in that year’s Fifa presidential election.

Although that ban was later annulled and he quit soccer, Fifa subsequently banned him for life for a second time in 2012 for “conflicts of interest” while Asian Football Confederation president.

Here’s how the votes were spread out: Africa — 54 votes Europe — 53 votes Asia and Australia — 46 votes North and Central America — 35 votes Oceania — 11 votes South America — 10 votes

Results

First round

Blatter: 133 Prince Ali: 73