Sepp Blatter who has been FIFA president since 1998 has confirmed he will stand for a fifth term as president.
The 78-year-old’s tenure has been beset by controversy but, speaking via video link at the Soccerex Global Convention in Manchester, Blatter said “my mission is not finished” as the head of world football’s governing body.
He will make an official announcement at FIFA’s executive committee meeting between September 25 – 26.
“I got through the last congress in Sao Paulo not only the impression but the support of the majority, a huge majority of national associations asking ‘Please go on, be our president also in future.’”
The deadline to register as a candidate is in January 2015 and the election will take place at the FIFA Congress next June.
Platini stated earlier this year that he would not support Blatter, but the 59-year-old former France player will not be rivalling Blatter.
“I was not surprised because in private conversations I have had with Michel Platini before, during and after the World Cup he has confirmed he would not be a candidate,” said Blatter, who has been FIFA president since 1998.
“But [he told me] there will be someone who will be your contender who will be contesting you.”