THE BLOG BY CPD FOOTBALL | The World of Indian football and beyond by Chris Punnakkattu Daniel

Joseph S. Blatter reelected FIFA President as Prince Ali withdraws from election

Joseph S. Blatter

Joseph S. Blatter

Joseph S. Blatter (79) has been reelected FIFA President at the 65th FIFA Congress 2015 after Prince Ali bin al-Hussein (39) withdrew from the election ahead of a deciding second round vote.

The 209 Member Associations casted their vote in a secret ballot as a candidate had to secure two-thirds of the votes of eligible voting members present in the first round of voting. None of the candidates was able to secure the two-thirds majority as Blatter received 133 votes and Prince Ali received 73 votes.

The FIFA Presidental Election was heading to a second round vote with a simple majority of valid votes enough to win the election, when Prince Ali decided to withdraw his candidature.

“It has been a wonderful journey. I want to thank all those brave enough to support me, but I will be withdrawing from the race. I wish you all the best of luck for the future,” said Prince Ali bin al-Hussein.

“First of all I would like to give compliments and express gratitude to Prince Ali. Because he was a challenger and he has obtained a very good result,” Joseph S. Blatter stated in his speech. “He could have said ‘no, let’s go further and perhaps I would have received more votes.'”

“But I thank you for accepting me for the next four years. I will be in command of this boat called FIFA and we will bring it back to shore,” Blatter added.