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Sepp Blatter Wins Fifth Term As FIFA President Without Support Of Gulati, U.S.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter on Friday was elected to a fifth term after Jordan's Prince Ali bin al-Hussein withdrew his candidacy before a second vote was taken. Blatter gained 133 of the 206 valid votes during the first round of balloting, while Ali earned 73. Since a two-thirds majority was not reached, a second vote would have been needed if Ali had not conceded (THE DAILY). In N.Y., Sam Borden reports U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati prior to the vote said that he would have instructed the U.S. delegate to vote for Ali and against Blatter. Gulati knew that doing so "might have repercussions for U.S. Soccer in the future," especially with Blatter now being re-elected. Anti-American sentiment "is not unusual in international sports, and the involvement of the Justice Department in the arrests will not help the United States’ image." FIFA during Blatter's 17 years as President "has often operated with a culture of 'retribution,' as Prince Ali once put it, which could make it more difficult for U.S. Soccer to find allies." But Gulati has decided that voting in favor of change at FIFA "is the most important priority, even if it might hurt the United States in its bids to host a World Cup." Gulati: "Would I like to see the United States host a World Cup in the future? The answer is, of course, yes. But for me, and for U.S. soccer, better governance and more integrity at CONCACAF and FIFA are far more important than hosting any international soccer tournament. ... If being on the right side of issues costs us from hosting a World Cup in the future, that would be unfortunate. But we are prepared to deal with that" (N.Y. TIMES, 5/29). Gulati added, "I’ve gotten to know Prince Ali over the past couple of years. He’s a very active member of the executive committee and he’s an active proponent of reform at FIFA. ... We’ve supported a number of initiatives he’s led, whether it’s in women’s rights or in development work; but it really starts with his views on governance and reform" (N.Y. POST, 5/29)

RARE INTRIGUE WITH VOTE: Gulati on Thursday predicted that it would be an "interesting election," saying what is happening in Zurich, where the vote will take place, is "certainly different than what may be being viewed from outside." Gulati: "I have certainly talked to enough people who are open-mined or have pledged support. … I think you will see a lot closer vote tomorrow than people were people were projecting weeks ago" (WASHINGTON POST, 5/29). Canadian Soccer Association President Victor Montagliani also pledged support for Ali, indicated that Canada "cannot support the current political leadership of FIFA." He said, "The organization needs a definite change, a refresh. And I think we need to govern the game in a better way. And this is also a comment to the FIFA Executive Committee. It’s not just about one person. The game deserves better. Period" (CP, 5/29).

A GRIP ON POWER: The N.Y. TIMES' Borden reports Blatter "is widely expected to win a fifth term on Friday ... in part because of FIFA’s electoral math." The FIFA president "is elected by a one-vote-per-country poll of its 209 member federations, making the many smaller countries who support Mr. Blatter an effective counterweight to his unpopularity elsewhere, most notably in Europe." As of Thursday night, there "has been little indication that a sea change against him had occurred" (N.Y. TIMES, 5/29). The WALL STREET JOURNAL's Joshua Robinson writes the fact that European "powerhouses such as England or Germany carry the same weight as soccer minnows such as Fiji helps explain why Mr. Blatter had won four terms before Friday." Blatter has "widespread support from Africa, Asia, South America, Central America and Oceania" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 5/29). The GUARDIAN's Owen Gibson notes while Blatter’s supporters "within the 'FIFA family' rallied round -- the Confederation of African Football vowing to back him in Friday’s election and Vladimir Putin criticising what he saw as a US plot -- those who hope to force him out stepped up the pressure." UEFA President Michel Platini: "I said, ‘I’m asking you to leave, FIFA’s image is terrible.’ He said that he couldn’t leave all of a sudden" (GUARDIAN, 5/29).

STRONG MOVE BY U.S.: SI.com's Grant Wahl wrote Gulati and the USSF "should be lauded for publicly taking on Blatter and the culture of corruption that has been part and parcel of FIFA under his watch." It "was refreshing to hear Gulati ... say he’s willing to sacrifice hosting a future World Cup in the U.S. by going against Blatter this week" (SI.com, 5/28). Wahl said the move to vote for Ali is "somewhat surprising" since the U.S. has supported Blatter in previous elections, and marks a "clear break with the incumbent FIFA president who is expected to win” (“Fox Sports Live,” FS1, 5/28). Fox Sports’ Alexi Lalas said the U.S. supporting Ali is "not necessarily a surprise," but Gulati's "public admission ... is big." Lalas: “It sends a message around the world that once again the United States has said, ‘We’re going to lead, we are going to take the moral high ground.’ ... The United States should be very proud because it’s not England, it’s not Germany leading. It’s the U.S. leading right now” (“Fox Sports Live,” FS1, 5/28).

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