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It’s war: Fifa president vs vice-president

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Sepp Blatter is expected to be re-elected. Picture: Getty Images
Sepp Blatter is expected to be re-elected. Picture: Getty Images

Indications are that the most anticipated and greatest upset in football will not happen when Fifa holds its presidential election on Friday.

Incumbent Sepp Blatter looks likely to be re-elected for a fifth term in office after two candidates, Luís Figo and Michael van Praag, withdrew from the race, leaving Jordan’s Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein, current Fifa vice-president, as the sole challenger.

Van Praag said he withdrew to join forces with Prince Ali, while Figo said he quit the race after realising the elections might not be fair.

“After a personal reflection and sharing views with two other candidates in this process, I believe what is going to happen on May 29 in Zurich is not a normal electoral act. And because it is not, don’t count on me,” he wrote on his Facebook page.

Blatter (79) is favourite to extend his 17-year Fifa reign. He enjoys massive support from Africa and other confederations. The decision will be made by the 209 delegates when the 65th Fifa Congress convenes in Zurich on Friday.

Jérôme Champagne, who also withdrew from the race after failing to get enough nominations, said he had no doubt Blatter would be re-elected for another mandate of four years.

“In a football match, we can see an upset result. But regarding the Fifa election, I do not see that happening at all,” said Champagne. He said he would also vote for Blatter if he were part of a member association.

“Firstly, because the three candidates have hidden political, institutional and even personal agendas. But more importantly because Blatter, with no election to face after May 29, will have a full mandate and a last opportunity to correct what needs to be corrected and continue what has been done efficiently.”

Champagne said he was not surprised the other two had withdrawn.

“At least two of them preferred to withdraw than showing the world they had no support.

“They had no chance and they knew it, unless they were wrongly advised or misled by promises of [associations] voting as regional blocs.”

Champagne said he was disappointed he could not garner enough nominations.

“I was of course disappointed, but I understood quickly that this election would not be an election where we would discuss the problems of the game and the solutions to address them.

“It is one more time a fight between persons and between institutions. So there would not have been a lot of breathing space for an independent candidate like me.”

The former Fifa deputy general secretary said he was against change “just for the sake of changing”.

“But the time will come for a change in leadership. Even Blatter said last week to Zurich-based daily 20 Minuten he would “have to build his successor”.

Safa president Danny Jordaan and chief executive Dennis Mumble will represent the South African association at the congress.

Jordaan said they would vote for Blatter “for what he did for this country”

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