Blatter wins FIFA vote amid corruption storm
FIFA President Sepp Blatter gestures after being re-elected following a vote to decide on the FIFA presidency in Zurich on May 29, 2015. AFP Photo
Zurich -
Sepp Blatter won the FIFA presidency for a fifth time Friday after his challenger Prince Ali bin al Hussein withdrew just before a scheduled second round.
The veteran Swiss powerbroker fell seven votes short of the required 140 majority in the first round of voting.
Just before the second round was about to start the Jordanian prince, a FIFA vice president who had campaigned on the need for reform, withdrew thanking those "brave enough" to vote for him.
Blatter, 79, has been FIFA's president since 1998 and has defied European calls to stand down as corruption scandals tarnish the multi-billion dollar body's image.
Officials open ballot boxes as vote counting gets underway following the vote to decide on the FIFA presidency in Zurich on May 29, 2015. AFP Photo
Blatter-Prince Ali duel for FIFA goes to 2nd round
The duel between incumbent Sepp Blatter and Prince Ali bin al Hussein for the FIFA presidency went into a second round Friday when Blatter fell seven votes short of the required majority.
Blatter, seeking a fifth term, got 133 votes in the first round, with 140 needed for the two thirds majority. The Jordanian prince, a FIFA vice president campaigning for reform of the scandal tainted organisation, got 73.
The winner needs a simple majority of the 209 member body in the second round.
