Blatter re-elected: How the FIFA election unfolded

Blatter congratulates those who voted for ‘good candidate’ Prince Ali — and then says: “But I am the president of FIFA. Of the whole FIFA…”

Blatter calls Oceania’s members ‘Ocean Eleven’ — before saying ‘I’m in a good mood and a little bit nervous’ — and mentions again that Oceania needs more representation in the executive committee.

Blatter thanks the Palestine FA again for withdrawing their proposal to suspend Israel.

Valcke beings to make an announcement but Blatter says this is his first disagreement with his Secretary General — that he started speaking before Blatter had finished. Blatter laughs it off… but Valcke was a bit uncomfortable there.

“Let’s go FIFA, let’s go FIFA…,” Blatter signs off.

I like you, I like my job and to be with you. I am not perfect, nobody is. But we will do a good job together: Blatter

I will give FIFA in a very strong position to my successor, a robust FIFA: Blatter

I take the responsibility to bring back FIFA. I am convinced we can do it: Blatter

Thank you for accepting me and putting me in command of this boat of FIFA: Blatter

He could have said in such a situation (a close vote) that let’s go forward and maybe I can win more votes, but he didn’t: Blatter

First of all, I would like to give compliments and express gratitude to Prince Ali: Blatter

Prince Ali thanks those who voted for him and WITHDRAWS from the race

Blatter received 133 votes and Prince Ali 73. Only 206 votes were valid out of the 209. Since a 2/3rd majority wasn’t obtained, there will be a second round of voting in which the candidate with a majority vote will win.

NO 2/3rd majority: There will be a second round of voting.

Voting has ended. The counting begins.

We are on UAE now. Remember, if either of the candidate gets 2/3rd majority then the election will be over in round 1 itself. If not, then there will be a 2nd round — in which the candidate with most votes wins.

We have reached the letter M now. Madagascar to be precise….

Voters have been at it for 20 minutes and we're up to the Cook Islands. Buckle up. #FIFA

— Joshua Robinson (@JoshRobinson23) May 29, 2015

The voting nations will cast their votes in alphabetical order. So Afghanistan first and Zimbabwe last.

That’s it for the two speeches. Blatter wins the applause round at least. Comprehensively.

FIFA needs a strong experienced leader who knows all the ins and outs of the situation: Blatter

I’ve been with you, some may say for a long time – but what is time? Time is infinite. I think time I’ve spent at FIFA is short: Blatter

You know me already. I don’t need to introduce myself. I know that i can count on you: Blatter

The World Cup is the goose that lays the golden eggs. We need to protect that: Blatter

Never forget this is not a speech addressed to the world. It is a speech addressed to 209 people. And that's that.

— Philippe Auclair (@PhilippeAuclair) May 29, 2015

Blatter says that, if he wins presidency, he'll reform and clean up Fifa and then hand over in four years. Heard that one before.

— Oliver Kay (@OliverKay) May 29, 2015

We need a strong Fifa, a beautiful Fifa — but I need you. No man do it alone: Blatter

I will accept responsibility for the current storm and fix this with you: Blatter

It would be a pleasure to continue with you. We don’t need revolutions but we always need evolutions: Blatter

Blatter to speak now

When you cast your ballot today, I ask you only to listen to your conscience and listen to your hearts: Prince Ali

Prince Ali - I’ll be accountable, responsible. Sepp Blatter - You can’t tell people to be unethical. #Platforms

— Avi Creditor (@AviCreditor) May 29, 2015

I will not hide among your ranks when times are bad, stepping forward when times are good: Prince Ali

Prince Ali - #fifa presidential candidate clearly has one very strong solid political speech writer on his team

— Michael.R Payne (@MichaelRPayne1) May 29, 2015

I promise to act through statutes, and not unilateraly: Prince Ali

FIFA is not a company, it is a service: Prince Ali.

I will be proud to shoulder the responsiblity to fix this body. I will take full responsibility and accountability for all of you: Prince Ali.

Even the darkest nights are broken by a new dawn: Prince Ali

Fifa does not exist in a bubble, there could not be a more defining moment in time than this one: Prince Ali

This time everything is at stake. For the game. For the world: Prince Ali

Voting booth currently being installed in the congress hall. Fifa presidential vote is conducted in secret.

— Richard Conway (@richard_conway) May 29, 2015

10-minute break to prepare for the election — it’s Blatter vs Prince Ali now.

So basically a committee to monitor the issues between Palestine and Israel has been set up. Palestine wanted a vote on issues immediately, Blatter didn’t. Blatter wins — 90% voted for the committee.

The handshake happens.

Blatter says FIFA cannot interfere in political territories (one of the three issues raised by Rajoub) and a new committee will look the other matters — player movements and racism issues.

Israeli FA president Ofer Eini wants a public handshake with Rajoub. Rajoub says he is even ready to hug in public but only after a vote on the issues he raised earlier in his speech. Blatter tries to find a solution — but the Palestinian FA is not happy. They want a vote now.

Israel FA: "We must not involve politics in football. Any dispute we have inside FIFA must be solved inside FIFA." Opposes send-to-UN plan.

— Sam Borden (@SamBorden) May 29, 2015

Blatter shouts out: "Where is our lawyer". Bet that's not the first time he's said that this week.

— Owen Gibson (@owen_g) May 29, 2015

“Please support and protect me. Maybe next year I won’t be alive to address you — I get death threats everyday,” Rajoub adds.

#Palestine winning the pr battle over Israel at #FIFACongress - withdrawing suspension motion, eloquent speech demanding fair play

— Michael.R Payne (@MichaelRPayne1) May 29, 2015

“It is time to raise a red card to racism — in Palestine and everywhere,” says Rajoub.

The Palestine FA has withdrawn the motion to suspend Israel from FIFA.

The Palestine Football Association has proposed to suspend Israel from FIFA. Their FA President Jibril Rajoub is now speaking.

It is now time to vote on Israel’s position in FIFA…

Dr. Cornel Borbély confirmed as Chairman of the Investigatory Chamber of the FIFA Ethics Committee

— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) May 29, 2015

Valcke now speaks about the upcoming FIFA World Football Museum in Zurich — calling it an ‘unbelievable’ tribute to the game, the players and the fans. There are sections where visitors can be referees in simulated situations and get a crash course in goal celebrations.

Some seriously good development & medical work in #fifa reports. Wonder if media will report ? Holding breath!

— Michael.R Payne (@MichaelRPayne1) May 29, 2015

#Blatter is the latest candidate for Fevicol ad. Chipak ke rehna hai! #FIFACongress

— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) May 29, 2015

2. Fifa Pres Sepp Blatter calls for unity in speech to delegates as they prepare to vote on presidency of football's world governing body.

— Alan Fisher (@AlanFisher) May 29, 2015

BBC Sport reports that British Prime Minister David Cameron has asked for Blatter to step down: “The sooner that happens, the better,” he’s quoted as saying.

#Breaking: Israeli media reporting there will NOT be a vote to suspend Israel from FIFA. Both sides have come to a deal. Details soon.

— Raphael Gellar (@Raphael_Gellar) May 29, 2015

FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke says that the Zurich Police, in consulation with FIFA, searched the premises after a bomb threat. “Congress can now continue, thank you for your patience,” he added.

Announcement that Fifa congress about to reconvene in 10 minutes. Clearly any bomb threat - as reported by German and Swiss media - is over.

— Richard Conway (@richard_conway) May 29, 2015

Just In: Zurich police confirm they’ve received a bomb threat at FIFA congress.

Who does Sepp Blatter think he is?http://www.bbc.com

Half-time at the FIFA Congress lunch now…

The media have been denied access to the (90-minute long) FIFA Congress lunch.

That previous tweet is Qatar’s reaction to reports that the 2022 bid was rigged.

Statement on behalf of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy... pic.twitter.com/1vwJx1nxYT

— كأس آسيا قطر 2023 (@Qatar2023) May 29, 2015

Less than 24 hours after leaving prison in an ambulance, Jack Warner's Lazarus-like recovery continues. #prayforjack pic.twitter.com/ckUeNEflyu

— James Corbett (@james_corbett) May 29, 2015

How #FIFA makes and spends its money http://t.co/F3Dbdq0YjL pic.twitter.com/Fg9it2GNam

— BBC News Graphics (@BBCNewsGraphics) May 29, 2015

Global action site @Avaaz has a #BlatterOut page which almost 600,000 people have already signed pic.twitter.com/OwWBO138QY

— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 29, 2015

Annual FIFA Activity Report available online nowhttp://www.fifa.com

If you are looking for something to do between now and then, how about perusing FIFA’s annual report? It has pretty charts and tables.

FIFA is going to take a 90-minute lunch break now. You can’t elect a president on an empty stomach. Or should that be wallet? The Congress will begin again at 5 pm IST (1:30 pm Swiss time).

The money quote so far from Blatter:

“The committees I mentioned at FIFA cannot control all 300m and all fans in the world. That is impossible. You can’t just ask people to behave ethically just like that.”

The chairman of the FIFA Audit and Compliance Committee is now talking about changing the culture of FIFA. Tells delegates to ask whether they would be comfortable if their behaviour was written about in the media. “The world has changed,” he says. More eyes on everyone.

In other words, there is a greater chance of being caught so everyone should be more careful.

Prediction: Blatter to win election and announce that FIFA will relocate its headquarters to Moscow. #fifa

— Ian Moore - 'The Times' Bestselling Author (@IanMooreAuthor) May 29, 2015

FIFA’s financials are No. 10 on the agenda. To remind you all, the election is No. 17.

FIFA also spent USD 5.3 billion over the same three year period. Seventy-two percent of which was spent on football related activities, including hosting the 2014 World Cup. 28 percent (roughly USD 1.5 billion) are operating and other expenses.

FIFA made revenues of USD 5.718 billion from 2011 to 2014. That’s 30 percent or 1.5 billion above the previous three-year cycle. Part of that change is FIFA including, for the first time, income from sales of tickets for the World Cup, which were USD 525 million.

FIFA reports that USD 3.9 billion was directly invested in football while more than USD 1 billion was invested in football development. Those numbers will get your attention.

Former Concacaf president Jack Warner: "If I have been thieving money for 30 years, who gave me the money? How come he is not charged?"

— Owen Gibson (@owen_g) May 29, 2015

FIFA reminding its members where they get their considerable sums of money from. As if they needed reminding but its just driving the point home.

Amind FIFA's 4-year spend: $1,052m on ‘development projects’.
World Cup bonanza bonus: $500,000 for the FAs of each of the 209 voters.

— Nick Harris (@sportingintel) May 29, 2015

FIFA arrests: it’s all kicked off, but what’s next? A legal perspectivehttp://www.lawinsport.com

Loud, prolonged applause for Blatter’s speech. There’s no doubting he still has a lot of support. And why wouldn’t he. So many have benefitted under his reign.

That was possibly the worst speech I've ever heard. 22 mins of deluded, rambling, irrelevant, self-serving Blatter blather. ***APPLAUSE***

— Oliver Kay (@OliverKay) May 29, 2015

Blatter goes on to say that if Russia and Qatar had not won the rights to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups respectively, none of this would have happeend. But we are not prophets, we cannot see the future, he says.

Blatter is see-sawing between touting the behemoth that FIFA and football has become – indirectly claiming credit for it – while also saying such a big organisation cannot be policed by one man. It is a staggering display of chutzpah.

Blatter now making a rambling, not-my-fault speech to Fifa congress. Terribly unimpressive stuff, but I fear he's preaching to the converted

— Oliver Kay (@OliverKay) May 29, 2015

Blatter: FIFA has become a big company and htis endeavour needs the understaind and support of the stakeholders. Who are they – it is the national federations. You are the shareholders and owners and you elected a government and the Congress elected a president. For this operation to work, there needs to be a lot of goodwill, discipline and respect.

Blatter: There is no sporting event that has more fame or draw so much attention – especially television. Millions and billions watch the FIFA World Cup. This beats all other sports competitions, including the Olympic Games. So let’s be careful. Let’s not focus just on the money that goes to football. Football has become a gigantic economic movement.

However, Blatter does not mention what happens to stadiums after the World Cup. In Brazil, they are using one of the stadiums for weddings and functions.

Not sure what is more remarkable. The complete absence of credibility in @SeppBlatter speech, or the vigour with which he's making it #FIFA

— Paul Kelso (@pkelso) May 29, 2015

Blatter hints at a conspiracy about the timing of the arrests two days before the Congress. He says there is a small question mark about the timing.

Blatter channeling Tommy Cooper: “You can’t ask everyone to behave ethically just like that.” #fifa

— Ben Rumsby (@ben_rumsby) May 29, 2015

Blatter: In no country in a world, is there a single court. How can one entity police so many people. FIFA touches over a billion people. This needs to be understood.

Blatter: If there is discipline from top to bottom, just like on the football field, only then can we ask for more and have checks and balances

#FIFA President Sepp Blatter: I must be responsible for the reputation and well being of FIFA and to find a way forward to fix things.

— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) May 29, 2015

Blatter: I am willing to accept the FIFA president is responsible for everything but I would like to share that responsibility with you or at least with the executive committee to my left. It is our government. It is your government. I repeat again, we are at a turning point and we need to pull through and move forward. We cannot constantly supervise everyone that is in football.

This graphic of FIFA leadership is extraordinary. pic.twitter.com/tTLOyrJKCa

— David McKenzie (@McKenzieCNN) May 29, 2015

Blatter: "We are going through troubled times.. events have thrown a shadow across Fifa and congress. Lets try to lift that shadow."

— Richard Conway (@richard_conway) May 29, 2015

It is time for Blatter to give the president’s address now.

The agenda of today’s Congress has been approved.

India has been appointed one of eight scrutineers to check the count in case a vote is put to a show of hands

All 209 Fifa delegates are present at the Congress to elect a new president.

— Malcolm Moore (@MalcolmMoore) May 29, 2015

The full text of Blatter’s opening remarks:

The events on Wednesday unleashed a storm and it was even questioned whether this congress would take place or the agenda may be changed. Today I am appealing to unity and a team spirit so we can move forward together. It may not always be easy but it is this reason that we are here today. We are here to solve [these problems]. This may not happen in one day but we are starting and we will do it with the members of the national associations because you are the ambassadors of our football. You have the power to change the face of Fifa. You have the power in your hearts, a power you can not buy on the markets.

Let’s get down to work. Let us not just talk about problems, let us go and solve them. let us move forward. The important point is transparency. The important point is where is our football? Where does Fifa stand in the world? It is the fight against corruption, match fixing, and racism – which will still have in our game and it hurts. We will naturally talk about development but that all belongs together. We have a chance to create unity.

We will have the possibility to play and to apply the handshake for peace and this will be under item 15 on the agenda. We have a problem to solve. We should find a solution which will finally satisfy.

I like would like to hold this congress under Fifa’s characteristics: discipline, respect and fair play. It is like a game and we are playing football. But we have no time limit, we have until the evening, or tomorrow. There are the laws of the game: they are the statutes. We have no referee. You are the referees [the delegates in the room]. Let us show the world we are able to run our institution and we can do that together. With these words I solemnly open the 65th congress of Fifa.

The protestors were pro-Palestine. Had nothing to do with corruption.

First protester evicted from #fifa congress room by security - fear it may not be the last today

— Michael.R Payne (@MichaelRPayne1) May 29, 2015

Blatter is being heckled from the back of the auditorium. It is unclear whether this is about the Palestinian motion or a protest against corruption. Blatter has asked for security to step in.

Blatter: "I'd like discipline and fair play to reign supreme today in this room".
Again, this means vote FOR him, not against. He's deluded

— Oliver Kay (@OliverKay) May 29, 2015

Your cut out and keep Fifa congress agenda... Settle in, we're going to be here for a while. pic.twitter.com/vLywGlFYIQ

— Richard Conway (@richard_conway) May 29, 2015

The laws of the game are the statutes of FIFA and we will apply them to this Congress, says Blatter. But we have no referees, so the delegates have to be their own referees.

The man should be holding spin classes around the world. He’d make even more money than his reported $10 million salary from FIFA.

Truly astounding that when Blatter tells Fifa members "you have power in your hearts" to "change the face of Fifa", he means "Vote for me"

— Oliver Kay (@OliverKay) May 29, 2015

Blatter moves on to discuss the Proposal by the Palestinian Football Association to suspension of the Israel Football Association. He wants to avoid a suspension but find a mutually agreeable solution.

Blatter addressing Fifa congress in Zurich: "Where does Fifa stand in the world? It's the fight against corruption" pic.twitter.com/1NPRNnG97m

— Oliver Kay (@OliverKay) May 29, 2015

In his opening remarks, Blatter appeals for team spirit for FIFA can move forward together and tackle the problems they face. “We are here to solve them”.

The Guardian reports that “Fifa have postponed today’s post-vote press conference until tomorrow, meaning the winner will not face the media today.”

Meet Prince Ali: The man who wants to oust Blatter and ‘restore confidence’ in FIFA – Firstposthttp://www.firstpost.com

OH MY GOD. At Fifa congress, they' just tested e-voting system by asking delegates if Germany won World Cup. Five per cent said no! #FIFA

— Oliver Kay (@OliverKay) May 29, 2015

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Kuwaiti Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, one of the most powerful men in world sport, has told Reuters in an interview that Blatter is still the best man for the job.

“FIFA should have a leader with a lot of experience,” he told Reuters at the Baur au Lac hotel, where seven FIFA executives were arrested on Wednesday. “Not only that, but someone who has shown a strong commitment to the AFC over many years and Blatter has done that.

“Prince Ali is a good man, I work with him, I was a main supporter in the past, he is like my brother.  He has a good future but I think he was in a little bit of a hurry. I think he needed to take the trust of Asia first before he earned the trust of the international community.”

Will Blatter win again? A detailed look at the vote-share in FIFA congress – Firstposthttp://www.firstpost.com

FIFA also has a helpful FAQ on the electoral process. The Congress is scheduled ot begin at 9:30 am Swiss time. Or in roughly a few minutes.

The election is the last item on the agenda, which can be found here. So it will be a few hours before we get to the actual vote.

The USA and Canada will vote for Prince Ali as well but most of the CONCACAF – the North, Central American and Caribbean Federation – will stand behind Blatter.

However, Blatter has remained umoved through it all and refused to postpone the election or step aside. The Asian Football Confederation, which includes India, has come out in support of Blatter, while Africa is expected to back him too, as is most of Oceania. Meanwhile UEFA has said the majority of its members will support Prince Ali, the sole challenger to Blatter.
There is some irony in Asia supporting the candidate from Europe and Europe supporting the candidate from Asia.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the 65th FIFA Congress being held in Zurich, where the infamous Sepp Blatter is attempting to be elected for the fifth time. Three days ago his re-election was set in stone but the stunning police raid of the Baur au Lac Hotel in Zurich and the arrest of seven top FIFA officials on charges ranging from racketerring to wire fraud have queried the pitch. Over the last 48 hours, calls for Blatter to resign or step aside have swelled.