Blatter Hints at Retaining FIFA Top Post

FIFA president Sepp Blatter again hinted he plans to stand for another four-year term as the head of world football during a speech to AFC delegates in which he called for more World Cup places for Asian teams.

The 77-year-old Swiss, speaking at the Asian Football Confederation Congress in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, was discussing his reform plans before he appeared to reveal he was not going to quit the presidency in two years time.

"This will be the last term of, not of office, the last term of the reform," Blatter said, smiling as he delivered the message.

Blatter went on to describe that the reform period, brought in to clean up the scandal-hit body that has seen members routinely banned on graft charges, would end in 2015.

The Swiss ignored reporters' requests to clarify his position after the Congress.

Blatter had previously said he planned to step down from office at the end of his latest four-year term in 2015 but opened up a loophole in March by adding that was providing he could find someone to carry on his legacy.

UEFA president Michel Platini, who watched on Thursday as Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain won the AFC presidential election in a landslide, has long been tipped to replace Blatter.

Sheikh Salman said he was grateful for the backing Blatter had given the AFC and said he would reciprocate should the Swiss choose to stay on.

"If he announces, of course," Sheikh Salman told reporters.

 
"He has always been a supporter of Asian football. If he can fulfill and continue as a president, of course I'll support him."