Blatter wants to carry on as FIFA President until he is beyond 80

By Andrew Warshaw in Johannesburg

June 10 – Any chance of a challenge to Sepp Blatter’s authority as FIFA President were swept away today when he confirmed he will stand for re-election for an unprecedented fourth term - and would not rule out a fifth.

Blatter told the 60th FIFA Congress that he had no intention of stepping down.

“I have said that I’m still motivated – not only motivated, I want to do it, I will,” he said. 

“I will go for another one and I want it to be transparent.

“Let’s go and see.

“But I cannot say if it’s the last one – you never know.”

Never one to miss a vote-inducing  trick, Blatter, up for re-election for another four-year term next year when he will be 75, announced FIFA was giving a one-off bonus payment of $250,000(£170,000) to each of its 208 member associations as well as donating an additional $2.5 million (£1.7 million) to each of its six Confederations.

Switching to home-grown players, Blatter accepted that FIFA had had to “dilute” their plans for a six-plus-five rule, designed to ensure a certain level of domestic talent, because of problems getting around European legislation.

FIFA now look set to adopt something close to the UEFA rule that insists on eight “home-grown” players in every squad of 25.

Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1733804524labto1733804524ofdlr1733804524owedi1733804524sni@w1733804524ahsra1733804524w.wer1733804524dna1733804524

Related stories
May 2010:
 Mihir Bose – Sepp Blatter has neutralised Bin Hammam and sees no threat from Platini
April 2010: Blatter to fly to Qatar to head off Bin Hammam challenge
March 2010: David Owen – Teixeira challenge could take shine off good news week for Blatter
March 2010: FIFA President term not to be limited