© EuroFootball.com
The International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA) announced that only Sepp Blatter, who currently holds the position, is running for the organization's presidency, so he should stay in office until 2011. The 71-year-old Swiss, who was first elected to the FIFA presidency in June 1998, did not face any challengers until March 31, when the deadline for candidate registration ended. FIFA confirmed that 66 out of the 207 member associations from all six confederations nominated S. Blatter for the elections, and the solemnly sworn-in for a third term will be on May 31. "I want to thank all the member associations who have shown their confidence in me," said S. Blatter. In 1998, S. Blatter defeated UEFA President Lennart Johansson for the FIFA presidency, and four years later after a fierce election battle, he defeated the president of the African Confederation (CAF), Issa Hayatou. "During the third term, football will acquire a clearly and widely expressed social role," promised the Swiss. "Over the past nine years, I have managed to overcome countless difficulties and have implemented several improvements, thanks for the support and assistance of the global football family."
