Swiss Sepp Blatter has been reelected president of the international football’s ruling body, FIFA, for a fourth term.
The vote took place in Zurich during FIFA’s 61st congress and had only one candidate after Blatter’s only rival Mohamed Bin Hammam from Qatar pulled out his candidacy in late May.
Blatter, 75, was supported by 186 out of 203 national associations. To be elected, a candidate needs to garner 50% plus one vote.
On Tuesday, football associations of England and Scotland suggested that the elections be postponed to acquire other candidates and to settle corruption scandals that have surrounded FIFA in the past few months but the offer was turned down by a vote.
Blatter, who has been with FIFA for over 35 years, was first elected FIFA president in 1998, replacing Brazilian Joao Havelange. Blatter said earlier that a new term as FIFA chief would be his last.
Following his reelection, Blatter said he would seek to make the football association more transparent.
“I am happy we are able to bring this solidarity, this unity in FIFA,” Blatter said after the voting results were announced.
MOSCOW, June 1 (RIA Novosti)