London, June 2 (IANS) FIFA president Sepp Blatter insisted that England’s failed effort to stop him from getting re-elected for a fourth term will not prove costly for the Football Association (FA).
During Wednesday’s FIFA Congress in Zurich, the FA requested the members to postpone the elections since there was no one to challenge Blatter for the post as his rival Mohammad Bin Hammam withdrew hours before he was provisionally suspended on charges of bribery. FA’s calls were supported by Scottish FA but the proposal was defeated 172/17.
Blatter said he was surprised by the move but will not hold it against England.
‘I’m the president of all the associations and will work with all of them. There’s no bad feeling with any of the associations that didn’t vote for me. I’m the president of FIFA, and with 186 votes I’m proud. Don’t worry about the English.
‘The number one national association in FIFA – the FA founded the game in 1863 – have the right to be called the FA, Football Association. They should be an example, so that was a surprise,’ Blatter said.
‘I had heard about it, and UEFA made a special meeting trying to convince them. I thought this problem would be solved so was surprised when they tried to change the agenda of the Congress and not make elections.’
