Blatter re-elected FIFA president

SEOUL, May 29 (AFP)- Sepp Blatter swept back to power as president of FIFA here on Wednesday with a crushing election victory after a bitter year-long struggle that left football's world governing body badly divided.

The 66-year-old Blatter won a second four-year term with a landslide win over African candidate Issa Hayatou in a vote of the FIFA congress. Blatter polled 139 votes with Hayatou recording 56. The margin saw Blatter secure the two thirds majority necessary for victory in the first ballot.

"Many, many thanks. You cannot imagine what it means for me having been during months accused by a certain press of saying what a bad man I am," said a jubilant Blatter seconds after the vote was announced.

"Let's work together and let's forget what's happened in the past. We have to resore our unity and by that we will restore our credibility.

"Let's go to the World Cup!" The vote represented personal vindication for the 66-year-old former Swiss lawyer who took over as FIFA chief prior to the World Cup finals in France four years ago, it did little to heal the wounds that his presidency has inflicted. Blatter had been battling against wide-ranging charges of financial irregularities and vote-buying, launched by his opponents within the organisation who have also taken legal action against him in Switzerland where FIFA is based.

The FIFA president has insisted that the finances are sound. Despite the furore, the only candidate to stand up against Blatter in the FIFA vote at the two-day congress had been the president of the African Football Confederation Hayatou of Cameroon.

In the event there was little drama, as the skilful Blatter had deftly manoeuvered himself into a near unbeatable position over the last few weeks travelling to the four corners of the globe in the process

Blatter gave a nod of recognition to his critics saying that he had heard their criticism.

"I got the message, the message to me is to reinstore peace. I have to reinstore peace within this family and I will do it, I will do it," he said.

"The verdict is there and I would like to warmly congratulate Mr Blatter who has been given your vote of confidence," Hayatou said.

"He can count on my cooperation as has been the case in the past.

"But 59 votes is not insignificant so I want to say how satisified and relieved at the end of this election."