A low-key election for the FIFA presidency has exploded into life after the U.S. Department of Justice charged nine current and former officials from world football's governing body plus five others with corruption in one of the biggest scandals in the game's history.
Friday's vote by the 209 members of FIFA -- set to start at 9.30 local time (3.30 a.m. ET) and run throughout the day -- was widely expected to be little more than a formality for incumbent Sepp Blatter. Most of the football family have pledged their support for his fifth term and all but one of his challengers are out of the running.
However, what impact could Wednesday's dramatic events have on what is now a two-horse race between the Swiss administrator and Jordan's Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein?
As he has done throughout the campaign, Blatter remains focused on his core constituents: the smaller football nations outside of Europe who are his power base. It was no coincidence that he was at a function organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Wednesday morning just hours after the arrest of six FIFA officials at a plush Zurich hotel. The Asian confederation (AFC) have already registered their support.
The stench of corruption might be in the air but there is nothing to suggest that the election will be little more than a coronation for Blatter, although it might be a little more awkward than expected. He has promised to continue spending more than US$1 billion on global football development projects and has dangled the carrot of an extra World Cup place for the likes of CONCACAF and Oceania.
FIFA's integrity is in serious question and further embarrassing revelations are sure to emerge as legal proceedings against those charged get underway, but Blatter maintains he is a trusted pair of hands. Most of those voting in Zurich are likely to agree.
source: http://www.espnfc.us/
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