TheCable

Sepp Blatter has been re-elected president of football’s world governing body, FIFA, and he has promised to bring the organisation “back ashore”.

In a vote overshadowed by arrests and corruption allegations, the 79-year-old was returned to the presidency for four more years but he failed to secure election on the first ballot with Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein withdrawing before a second ballot was undertaken.

Blatter polled 133 of the 209 votes in the first round, seven short of the two-thirds majority he needed, with his opponent securing 73 votes.

Seven top officials were arrested in Switzerland on Wednesday as part of a US prosecution that indicted 14 people.

But that couldn’t stop Blatter’s bid for a fifth term as FIFA president.

“For the next four years I will be in command of this boat called Fifa and we will bring it back ashore, we will bring it back to the beach,” Blatter said, insisting this would be his last four years at the helm.

“The age is no problem. You have people that are 50 who look old. I like you, I like my job and I like to be with you. I’m not perfect, nobody’s perfect. Trust and confidence, together we go.”

After conceding the election, Prince Ali thanked those who supported him.

“I just wanted to thank all of you. It’s been a wonderful journey. I want to especially thank all of you who were brave enough to vote for me.”