Sepp Blatter has been re-elected as president of soccer’s world governing body and immediately vowed to put “FIFA’s ship back on the right course in clear, transparent waters.”
At FIFA’s Congress in Zurich, Switzerland on Wednesday, Blatter received 186 votes from football’s 208 member football associations, to serve his fourth term as president despite the race becoming engulfed by corruption allegations within the organization.
Blatter’s only rival for the presidency, Mohamed Bin Hammam, pulled out of the race after he was suspended by FIFA’s Ethics Committee on Sunday in relation to bribery charges surrounding Qatar’s successful bid for the 2022 World Cup.
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After Blatter’s re-election was confirmed he told Congress: “I thank you for your trust and confidence. Our pyramid is intact, the base, the foundation is strong and together we have four years to continue on our path and do our job.
“We will put FIFA’s ship back on the right course in clear, transparent waters. We need some time to do it, but we shall do it.
“Today something marvelous happened and I’d simply like to tell you I’m deeply moved and honored. It’s a challenge, a new one for me, and I accept it. Together we shall do it.”