ZURICH, Switzerland (CelebrityAccess) — Longtime FIFA president Joseph 'Sepp' Blatter has been re-elected to his position at the head of soccer's international governing body, even as the organization faces allegations of corruption from U.S. and Swiss authorities. The election took place at the 65th FIFA Congress in Zurich, Switzerland.
On May 27th, the Justice Department charged 14 people of corruption and racketeering conspiracy in a 47-count indictment. Nine FIFA officials and five corporate executives were indicted, including two current FIFA vice presidents and the current and former presidents of North American soccer governing body CONCACAF, Jeffrey Webb and Jack Warner.
Blatter was widely expected to win the election, despite the last minute defection of North American soccer, who threw their support behind Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein of Jordan.
In a statement after the vote, US Soccer President Sunil Gulati, said, "While we are disappointed in the result of the election, we will continue to push for meaningful change within FIFA. Our goal is for governance of FIFA that is responsible, accountable, transparent and focused solely on the best interests of the game. This is what FIFA needs and deserves, and what the people who love our game around the world demand. We congratulate President Blatter and it is our hope he will make reform his number one priority to ensure the integrity of the sport across the world."
Blatter has been at the helm of FIFA for 17 years, amidst repeated questions of corruption, particularly in regards to the awarding of the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 World Cup to Qatar. 1200 workers have died during the construction of Qatar's World Cup facilities, according to an estimate by the International Trade Union Confederation. – Staff Writers
