Joseph S. Blatter was the fifth consecutive FIFA President. His only rival, Prince of Jordan Ali Bin Al-Hussein withdrew his candidacy from the ballot in the second round. Recall that supported the candidature Blatter and Russian.
The corruption scandal surrounding the FIFA on the eve of presidential elections in the organization, has completely changed the disposition of the candidates. Before there was no doubt in another easy victory Joseph Blatter. The opponents he was only Prince of Jordan Ali Bin Al-Hussein, vice president of FIFA from Asia.
Other contenders for the post, the owner of “Golden Ball – 2000″ Luis Figo and the head of the Royal Netherlands Football Association Michael van Prague, declined to advance the struggle. At the same time, both withdrew their candidacies in favor of Ali.
The arrests in Switzerland, several representatives of FIFA’s request, US Department of Justice as part of an FBI investigation dropped Blatter shadow. The detained officials have accused a number of crimes, including bribery and money laundering.
There are reports that cast doubt on the election can be put countries – the hosts of the world championships in 2018 and 2022. Vitaly Mutko, who was in Switzerland, in his own words, tired to deny that he had been summoned for questioning by the Swiss prosecutor’s office.
Blatter himself questioning not touched, but his position did not look very stable.
Another blow struck for the UEFA Cup. Europeans first called to postpone the election to a later date, then the mouth of the head of the organization Michel Platini backed al-Hussein.
The Frenchman before not dare to openly criticize Blatter, he said he asked the head FIFA voluntarily leave his post. Platini also said that his sympathies at the Congress in Zurich will be on the side of the Prince of Jordan.
However, the position of the current President of FIFA remained strong. Virtually the entire continent of Africa expressed support for Blatter, as well as a number of Asian and American countries. In Guinea-Bissau, for example, attacks on the Swiss called blasphemy.
The RFU to their preferences, too, decided in advance. The head of the organization Nikolai Tolstoy said that he would vote for Blatter. This is not surprising, because it is in its support of Russia won the 2018 World Cup. Change FIFA president could make unpredictable developments.
fateful day began with FIFA that someone called the police and announced a bomb planted in the building. For some time, law enforcement services had to vacate the premises that was soon reported: “All clear. There is no danger. ”
No sooner had the delegates return to the hall, as the representative of Palestine urged to exclude Israel from FIFA. As a result, the parties were able to resolve the conflict, shook hands. And just before the vote the British declared that the Russian boycott the 2018 World Cup, when Blatter re-elected to the presidency.
There were no personal attack on the head of FIFA. During one of his speeches in the hall functionary announced a few protesters, which forces the same police quickly taken out of the hall. Himself Swiss remained cold and unapproachable.
Blatter voting day trying to justify to the audience, explaining that he would try to restore the honor of FIFA in the public eye.
«We are going through troubled times. Recent events have cast a shadow on the FIFA Congress. We will try to raise our reputation. We can not afford to drag the name of FIFA was in the dirt. Separate “filthy” people is not the whole of FIFA, “- he said from the rostrum of Blatter.
It is noteworthy that his rival al-Hussein gave the floor just before the vote.
«I’m not going to hide behind you, when everything is bad, and a step forward in moments of success. Please make a choice of conscience. I open doors to FIFA over the world. I will defend human rights in this responsible position, “- promised to Prince Ali.
According to the “pre-match” alignment of journalists Jordanian should get to the order of 50 votes, 42 more delegates doubted. According to Platini, Al-Hussein had only European to receive 45-46 vote and 60 – from other continents.
Most of the forecasters agreed in opinion that the parties can not avoid a second round. To win in the first one of the candidates had to be a two-thirds vote.
beginning of a long process of voting, FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke announced by turns each of the 209 countries. Delegates held in special booths, where they made their choice and cast ballots in the ballot box.
Calculation of results was much faster. Very soon the numbers flashed on the scoreboard. First of all, it was announced that the candidates still waiting for the second round. Blatter won 133 votes, he lacked only 7 to win the first round.
Prince Ali got 73 votes, 3 more were invalidated.
This alignment slightly pleased with al-Hussein and Platini. Neither of which 100 votes for it was not Jordanian. It became clear that the second round does not make sense.
understand this and Ali. Spectators waiting for the repeat voting, when Jordanian appeared on the scene and said that withdrawing his candidacy.
«Representatives of the 73 football federations have expressed determination, but I do not want to have someone in trouble. Hope for the best, that the organization will take place real changes “- said Ali.
Dozens of people in the audience sighed with relief, heard the first single, and then a burst of applause. Blatter was re-elected for a fifth term. Supporters of the Swiss, as they say, relieved, like most Blatter.
Winning it re-elected FIFA was accompanied with jokes, laughter and shouts of “bravo” from the audience.
«I would like to thank His Royal Highness Prince Ali. Prince Ali was a competitor, rival, get very good results – Blatter admitted. –
On the other hand, thank you for the next four years. I am a believer. God help us to return to the place of FIFA, where the organization should be. I’m not perfect. Nobody is perfect. Thank you for your trust, we will act together. Forward, FIFA! »
Re-election of Blatter, is not likely to put an end to the dark history of FIFA.
It is obvious that the Swiss in world football have enough enemies. Almost all of Europe’s most powerful football continent to present a united front against the 79-year-old civil servant. After all, is still unclear role of the FBI in the investigation of Blatter. While the charges are not brought against him, but there is no guarantee that it will not happen soon.
In Russia, the Swiss re-election to the presidency was greeted with optimism. Domestic football fans regarded the case against FIFA by the US law enforcement agencies as the US pressure on Blatter with the aim to take away our country’s 2018 World Cup.
In one of the districts of Moscow, according to the correspondent of “Gazety.Ru” despite the storm and hail, even made a salute in honor of the re-election of a functionary.
Other news, materials and statistics can be viewed at page of world football.
See also:
No comments:
Post a Comment