Secret talks between FIFA officials and President Sepp Blatter "have taken place over his future," according to Richard Conway of the BBC. The discussions, involving reps from a number of soccer confederations, "are understood to have started in October 2013." With the Jan. 29 deadline "looming for candidates to declare their interest" in challenging Blatter for what would be a fifth term of office, "there is mounting concern" among several FIFA execs over the governing body's future direction and leadership. A source described the 78-year-old Blatter as being "increasingly 'weary' following years of fire-fighting multiple scandals, a hectic work schedule and the acrimonious fall-out from the decision to award the next two World Cups to Russia and Qatar" (BBC.com, 12/22). However, a source said Blatter is "invigorated" after last week's exec committee meeting in Morocco. The source added that "he had not heard any suggestion that Blatter would change his mind about standing" for another term (REUTERS, 12/22). The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Joshua Robinson reports the past few "tumultuous weeks at soccer’s world governing body may have created an opening for a challenge" in the minds of a "handful of high-level insiders." Blatter "hasn’t been challenged in an election" since '02. His tenure "has drawn comparisons to the imperial 24-year presidency of his predecessor, João Havelange, who wasn’t challenged in an election" between '74-98. The "defining moment of the next president’s term is already clear: selecting a host" for the '26 World Cup (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 12/23).
