Amid the greatest controversy hurting world football body FIFA, with nine top officials and five others arrested, Sepp Blatter seeks his fifth term contesting against Prince Ali. Here are live updates from the FIFA Congress in Zurich.
We're waiting for confirmation Prince Ali will go ahead with a 2nd round of voting— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) May 29, 2015
10:30 pm: Sepp Blatter gets 133 votes. He needed 140 to win two-third majority. Prince Ali got 73 votes. There will be a second round of voting.
I've just watched a teller count a pile of 68 ballot papers. Don't know who for. Threshold is 70 for a second round— Paul Kelso (@pkelso) May 29, 2015
The US Soccer Federation didn't want electronic voting in this secret FIFA vote in case FIFA could discover who each FA voted for— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) May 29, 2015
10:00 pm: The voting is finally over. The ballot boxes are now moved onto a table in front of the stage. The counting is going to begin.
Never mind the vote - they're preparing for one hell of a closing ceremony. Giant Swiss cow bells and everything pic.twitter.com/GyOxZ0GiE3— Steve Scott (@stevescott_itv) May 29, 2015
On the other Prince Ali is the favoured candidate of UEFA, so he is likely to pick up most of the European votes. Platini on Thursday said that around 45 or 46 out of 54 European members could back him after the corruption scandal hit FIFA.
Sepp Blatter has been publicly backed by the football confederations of Asia (AFC) and Africa (CAF) despite all the controversies. This means that most of their member nations are expected to vote for him.
How are the votes divided?
Six federations make up FIFA, with national football associations making up each federation and total of 209 votes.
Africa (CAF): 54 votes
Europe (UEFA): 53 votes
Asia (AFC): 46 votes
North and Central America (CONCACAF): 35 votes
Oceania: 11 votes
South America (CONMEBOL): 10 votes
09:13 pm: The All India Football Federation president Praful Patel casts his vote.
08:40 pm: The voting has finally started. The 209 members are now casting their votes.
08:35 pm: Sepp Blatter finishes his speech. He vows to reform FIFA and stand down in four years. Blatter said that what football needs is a strong, experienced leader, a leader that knows all the ins & outs of the institution.
Blatter: "It is the World Cup that is the goose of the golden eggs"— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) May 29, 2015
Blatter: "We WILL change things in the future -- starting tomorrow"— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) May 29, 2015
Blatter: "I can't do it alone. I need you - I need all of you. No man can do it alone." #FIFA— Molly Hunter (@mollymhunter) May 29, 2015
Blatter: "I am being held accountable for the current storm ... so be it. I will shoulder that responsibility. I will take it upon myself"— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) May 29, 2015
8:20 pm: Sepp Blatter's lone challenger Prince Ali bin al-Hussein is now addressing FIFA’s Congress in Zurich.
They've built two voting booths like this. Democracy in action pic.twitter.com/srPM3YAkBA— Paul Kelso (@pkelso) May 29, 2015
Prince Ali shakes hands with Blatter to mark end of spell on FIFA ExCo - but he'll be back if elected president later pic.twitter.com/lo3K29ymZ2— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) May 29, 2015
Handshake between Israel and Palestinian FAs at FIFA congress pic.twitter.com/E7tt3y0CjA— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) May 29, 2015
Confirmation of motion to solve Israel-Palestine matter - PFA withdraws request to suspend IFA #FIFACongress— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) May 29, 2015
Blatter now showing his love of democracy and debate: "We are not going to open up the discussion"— Paul Kelso (@pkelso) May 29, 2015
Difficult moment - Israel FA chief wants to shake Palestinian FA president's hand - looks like PFA is refusing— Martyn Ziegler (@martynziegler) May 29, 2015
19.00: The vote to have Israel suspended from FIFA has been dropped by the Palestine FA
18.42: Blatter now discussing the FIFA Handshake for Peace initiative.
17.45: FIFA congress resumes after bomb threat in Zurich
209 delegations, many professing grave concern over the management of FIFA, and NOT ONE has raised their hand to question the leadership— Paul Kelso (@pkelso) May 29, 2015
16.42: FIFA congress hit by bomb threat, confirmed by Zurich police.
15.58: Qatar 2022 World Cup organisers say bid was conducted "with integrity and to the highest ethical standards".
15.28: Lunch break at 65th FIFA Congress now
15.00: Sepp Blatter on decision to award Russia and Qatar the 2018 and 2022 World Cups - "If two other countries had emerged from the envelope, I think we would not have these problems today."
Blatter: "I'd like discipline and fair play to reign supreme today in this room".Again, this means vote FOR him, not against. He's deluded— Oliver Kay (@OliverKayTimes) May 29, 2015
Blatter: "We are going through troubled times - I will not call this unprecedented, we have already gone through troubled times in the past"
Blatter on World Cup selection: If two other countries had emerged from the envelope I think we would not have had these problems.
Dear me. Test of the electronic voting system says it all. 5% of members didn't even know Germany won the World Cup... — Ben Rumsby (@ben_rumsby) May 29, 2015
13.47: All 209 members will be eligible to vote in election.
13.45: All 209 member associations are present.
13:35: Congress now stands for minute's silence to mark 30th anniversary of Heysel. Michel Platini, who played that night, on the platform
13.32: FIFA Congress briefly interrupted by three or four protesters waving red cards and a Palestinian flag. Quickly removed by security.
13.28: Sepp Blatter opens FIFA's congress in Zurich.
13.22: Blatter tells FIFA Congress: "Let's show to the world we are able to run our institution FIFA - and we can do it together."
13.22: Blatter says, "I would like that discipline, respect and fair play reigns supreme today in this room."
13:21: Blatter says "it still hurts" there is racism in football. Head of racism task force Jeff Webb arrested this week.
13:20: Blatter tells FIFA Congress - "our proceedings (are) in total transparency"
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