Share

Blatter mulls FIFA vote date

Zurich - FIFA leader Sepp Blatter held talks with his vice presidents late on Sunday ahead of a meeting to set a date for an election of a new supremo of the scandal tainted world football body.

The group discussed the date, but sources at the talks with top officials from five of the regional confederations, including UEFA's Michel Platini, would not say if they agreed when the vote should be held.

Neither Blatter nor Issa Hayatou of the Confederation of African Football, the Asian Football Confederation's Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, CONCACAF interim chief Alfredo Hawit, Juan Angel Napout of South America's CONMEBOL and Oceania's David Chung commented after the talks.

None of the regional leaders are yet candidates for the election but French football legend Platini, 60, is considering a run.

FIFA's executive committee is to meet at the world body's headquarters on Monday to set the election date.

Blatter could also announce reforms he wants to set underway as FIFA reels from the worst corruption crisis in its history.

The meeting was held one day after former FIFA vice president Jeffrey Webb appeared in a New York court and pleaded not guilty to accepting bribes. He was released on $10 million in bail.

Blatter was re-elected to a fifth term on May 29, just two days after Webb and six other FIFA officials were arrested in a raid on the luxury Zurich hotel where Sunday's meeting took place.

Webb agreed to be extradited this week. The six others are fighting their transfer to the United States.

US prosecutors have charged 14 people - football officials and marketing business executives -- over bribes totalling more than $159 million.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1271 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
30% - 1469 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2239 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE