Blatter dares challengers at upcoming FIFA polls

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has urged his critics to present a candidate to stand against him in the upcoming presidential election, or let him continue with the job himself.

Blatter has been at the helm of the world’s football governing body for the past 17 years, with his leadership coming under fire in recent years, especially from Europe’s governing body, UEFA.

However, Blatter has welcomed his nay-sayers and encouraged them to present a viable candidate to run against him as he looks set for a fifth term in office in charge of Fifa.

“All those who want to get rid of me should come.  All this opposition is coming, and it is unfortunate to say it is coming from Nyon; it is coming from Uefa.

“They don’t have the courage to come in so [they should] let me go, and be respectful.

“Football is a team sport, so let’s go together as a team. I invite Uefa, especially the leaders of Uefa who are so bitterly attacking me … Join, join, because football is a community,” Blatter told CNN.

He said he was more than happy to continue in his position, as he feels he has not finished his “mission”.

So far, ex-France international David Ginola, French former Fifa deputy general secretary Jerome Champagne and Jordanian FA chief, Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, have all signalled their intentions to run for the Fifa presidency, but have until Thursday to submit their applications ahead of May’s election.