FIFA challenger Ali withdraws from runoff vote with Blatter

Jordan's Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein has withdrawn his bid to become FIFA's next president. This means incumbent Sepp Blatter retains the top job amid a major corruption scandal.

Deutsche Welle, 29 May 2015

Jordan's Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein has withdrawn his bid to challenge Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency. A secret vote was set to go to a surprise second round when the announcement was made.

"It has been a wonderful journey," the prince said.

"I want to thank all those brave enough to support me, but I will be withdrawing from the race."

To win in the first round a candidate needed to get a two thirds majority of the 209 member federations in the first round.

Prince Ali garnered 73 votes, while Sepp Blatter managed 133 votes.

In the second round of voting, a simple majority would suffice for Blatter to claim another four-year term atop an organization he has led since 1998.

Both men had promised to change the way the organization was run, with Prince Ali saying world football was at a "crossroads."

He called for a more inclusive approach.

Blatter meanwhile stressed his experience, saying he didn't want to leave FIFA just yet.

In his acceptance speech, Blatter thanked members for keeping him as head.

"I thank you, you have accepted me for the next four years," he said.

"I will be in command of this boat of FIFA, we will bring it back to shore."

FIFA has been hit by a number of scandals in recent years, including claims of worker abuse in building facilities for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The latest and most serious incident saw fourteen people charged over retrospective corruption allegations, leading to calls for Blatter to step down.

Prior to the vote, Blatter told a FIFA congress he was responsible for ensuring the body recovered from this latest incident.

He said world football needed "a strong and experienced leader," and that he would work towards "a FIFA that will have enough safeguards which will not need the political interventions."

Earlier in the day, the 39-year-old Jordanian prince had said he would "restore respect for the body we represent," and promised to make it more transparent.

As part of the ceremonies, Blatter and Prince Ali shook hands, customary for officials who are leaving the FIFA executive committee.

Prince Ali had been a FIFA vice president, but opted not to stand for a new term in order to oppose Blatter.

an/msh (AFP, dpa, AP)