Sepp Blatter Hints at FIFA Departure

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has hinted that he may not run for a fifth term if there is a suitable candidate to replace him and carry on his work of expanding football throughout the globe.

Blatter, 77, will hold his position until 2015 and he has mentioned Michel Platini and Angel Villar as two possible replacements.

“I will not carry on as long as there is at least one candidate prepared to continue my work,” Blatter said.

“The most important thing for me is that the person who takes over FIFA does so with the spirit of globalisation of soccer that we have developed in recent years.

“Michel Platini could be a possible successor as we started together in 1998.

“On the other side is Angel Villar who has had a long career and has good contacts in America and Africa and who would also be a good candidate.

“I don’t know if there is a deal between Villar and Platini on these UEFA and FIFA issues but in any case the elections for the FIFA presidency in 2015 will be open and democratic.”

Blatter has held his position since 1998 and has previously ruled out stepping aside unless health issues forced him to.