Blatter Looks Set To Seal Fourth Term

Monday, 30th August 2010 at 15:39pm

Fifa President Sepp Blatter looks set to secure an unprecedented fourth term as the head of football's governing body after Asian football chief Mohamed Bin Hammam, 61, ruled himself out of running for the position.

Bin Hammam, seen by many as possible successor to Blatter, was widely expected to challenge the 74-year-old Blatter for the position at next June's election but has decided to back the current incumbent.

"I will not run for the next Fifa election. I will back Sepp Blatter to remain in office," said Bin Hammam.

The Asian group of countries is worth a total of 46 votes and will play a critical role if Blatter is to be successful.

This is likely to be the case given Bin Hammam's backing.

The move by Bin Hammam follows a similar decision by Uefa President Michel Platini who will run for a second term as head of European football's governing body.

After revealing that he will stand aside for Blatter, Bin Hammam echoed Platini by saying he will stand as a candidate for re-election as head of the Asian football federation.

"My aim is to run for the next election of AFC president due at the start of 2011," he said.

"Hopefully I will get the full confidence of all the national associations."

After being first elected in 1998, Blatter has held his position at the top of the game for 12 years following his re-election in 2002 and 2007 and feels that he still has more to bring to the beautiful game.

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