| FIFA president Blatter to stand for re-election

FIFA-president-Blatter-to-stand-for-re-election MILAN -FIFA president Sepp Blatter will run for re-election in 2011, saying Tuesday he still wants to introduce new initiatives to develop soccer worldwide.




I have not finished my mission in football. I need more time, Blatter told La Gazzetta dello Sport. I hope that in 2011 the FIFA Congress once more has faith in me, otherwise Ill go back to my village.




The 73-year-old Swiss was elected president of FIFA in 1998, and he then survived accusations of corruption to win the 2002 election. He was elected for a third time in 2007.




Blatter also said that FIFA was wrong to seed the European World Cup playoff matches.




FIFA was criticized for announcing only a few weeks ago that the eight playoff teams from Europe would be seeded. Ireland coach Giovanni Trappatoni claimed it was a way of ensuring that the more powerful teams, such as France and Portugal, were given an easier chance of reaching next years tournament in South Africa.




Ireland drew France for the two-leg playoff next month.




Hes right. We should have announced it from the start, Blatter said. There is something in the rules, but it isnt clear. If we learn, well change for 2014, but in 180 minutes anything is possible.




Blatter also said that FIFA wouldnt enforce a salary cap on teams, but continued to call on club presidents to curb their spending. He said FIFA would continue to try to enforce the 6+5 system of six domestic players alongside five non-nationals per team, despite it contravening European Union work rules.




Im happy that Berlusconi, Abramovich, Moratti and all the others have finally stopped wasting money, but there wont be a salary cap, Blatter said. We cant intervene in a free-market system, which works with supply and demand. The solution is something else: the 6+5 system. It would develop players, teams would spend less and it would help national teams. - | FIFA president Blatter to stand for re-election |