English Football Association chairman Greg Dyke says he would be “very surprised” if Sepp Blatter was still FIFA president in two years.
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Blatter saw off the challenge from Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan after a week which saw seven FIFA officials arrested and 18 people connected to football indicted on corruption charges by the US justice department.
The Swiss won the first round by 133 votes to 73 and, after Prince Ali decided to withdraw ahead of the second round, the 79-year-old was installed as FIFA president for another four years.
Earlier, Dyke backed the idea of a co-ordinated European boycott of the World Cup – and speaking after the vote in Zurich, he said: “This is not over by any means.
KNVB director Bert van Oostveen on Blatter “It’s a disappointing result for the KNVB and for anyone who wants normal practice in football”
— Dutch Football (@football_oranje) May 29, 2015
“To quote the Attorney General this is the beginning of the process, not the end. The idea Blatter could reform FIFA is suspect. I’d be very surprised if he was still in this job in two years time.”
Luis Figo withdrew his candidacy last week – and the former Portugal international was scathing in his criticism of Blatter after the vote.
He said: “This vote has only served to endorse the election of a man who can’t remain in charge of world football. Mr Blatter…being re-elected – that shows exactly how the organisation is sick.
“Today was another dark day in Zurich. FIFA has lost, but above everything, football has lost and everyone who truly cares about it has lost too. Mr Blatter had a very cynical reaction when he said that he couldn’t control everyone. It offends everyone’s intelligence.
“If he was minimally concerned about football, he would have given up on re-election. If he has a modicum of decency, he will resign in the next few days.”
UEFA president Michel Platini reiterated his desire for change within FIFA, while congratulating 39-year-old Prince Ali for his “admirable campaign”.
Wolfgang Niersbach, president of the German Football Association (DFB), who had also supported the Jordanian prince, said senior European figures had hoped for a change of leadership within FIFA.
“After the events of last week, a headwind had been felt, but at the end it wasn’t strong enough to bring about the desired change amongst us,” said Niersbach, who was voted onto FIFA’s executive committee yesterday. “There was a prevailing impression within UEFA that Prince Ali had a chance.”
