Ghanaians not surprised on Blatter's re-election

Football administrators, sports journalists and analysts, coaches and fans interviewed by GNA Sports said they were not surprised by the re-election of Mr Sepp Blatter as FIFA president.

Most of them said despite the numerous allegations of bribery, corruption and mismanagement made against Blatter, there was no doubt that the 66 year-old Swiss national remains the more popular of the two candidates. A group of sport reporters who bared their minds on the issue at the Accra Sports Stadium during a friendly match between Accra Hearts of Oak and a select side of Ghanaian foreign-based professionals argued that Blatter deserved another term because he has done a lot to improve the game in Africa.

They said CAF president Issa Hayatou should clean up his house first before accusing anyone of mismanagement and corruption. In his contribution, Mr John Vigah a sports reporter at Ghanaian Times said Hayatou as FIFA president would have been better for Africa since the continent would have more representatives on the executive committee of the world football governing body but unfortunately, he lacked the numbers to dethrone Blatter.

He said even though he is not happy with Blatter's re-election, he is also not surprised, adding that Blatter must be more transparent in his administration and prove all critics wrong. Mohamed Ameen Lamptey of Choice FM Sports Desk said right from the beginning it was predictable that the Swiss national would be the winner because he is more familiar with the terrain of football administration at the world level.

He said it is now a challenge to Blatter to fulfil the promise made to Africa by giving the continent the 2010 World Cup. Coach Malik Jabir, a board member of Kumasi Asante Kotoko and a former assistant coach of the Black Stars said even though he is not surprised about the out come of the elections, he believes any of them could serve "for the good of the game."

Coach Jabir agrees that, "Blatter has done a lot for African Football and deserves another term, adding that countries like Mali, Lesotho and many other poor countries have seen great development in their football through his efforts."

Mr Kudjo Fianno administrative manager of the Ghana league Clubs Association (GHALCA) was of the view that, there was no way Hayatou could stand Blatter despite the allegations made against the FIFA president before the elections. He expressed the hope that his re-election would enhance the development of football in the world and Africa in particular.

Mr Fiifi Forson a management member of Accra Hearts of Oak said, "Hayatou was even lucky to have polled 56 votes because he has done nothing for African football" and wondered how he could rule world football." Mr Forson said for the past 16 years of his rule Hayatou as CAF president, clubs have cheated in African Clubs Competitions and complaints have been lodged but CAF has failed to take any action.

He said Hayatou must address the rampant cheating in African Clubs Competitions before thinking of FIFA presidency. Mr Justus Agbeko, a class one referee and the General Secretary of Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) said Blatter's administration during the past four years has seen some improvement in the development of refereeing in the world.

He said under Blatter funds are allocated to organise courses for referees to upgrade their levels and make them more efficient on their jobs and was therefore not surprised about the outcome of the elections. He said the numerous allegations made against the FIFA president might be a plot to discredit him.

Prior to the elections in Soul, South Korea, the FIFA president who took over from Jhao Havalenge in 1998 has been battling against a wide range of charges of financial irregularities and vote buying. Zen Ruffinen FIFA General Secretary, Lennart Johanson president of UEFA and Issa Hayatou CAF president were the most vocal critics of Blatter. Blatter won the election by polling 139 votes to secure the two-thirds majority while Hayatou trailed behind with only 56 votes.