Blatter Holds FIFA Presidency

FIFA's president Sepp Blatter held on to his job Friday, after being reappointed to head the troubled sporting organization.

In a widely anticipated vote in Zurich, Switzerland, Blatter warded off calls for resignation by calling for unity, “We cannot let the reputation of football, and of FIFA, to be dragged through the mud,” he said ahead of the vote.

Voting was closer than widely expected, with Blatter failing to secure the two thirds majority needed to win outright in the first round. Shortly before a second round of voting was set to commence, his only rival withdrew.

The vote ended up being largely split along continental lines, with most of the Americas, Asia and Caribbean backing Blatter. Much of Europe and the United States swayed towards his opponent, Jordanian prince Ali bin Hussein.

“The eyes of the world are upon us, but not the first time. But this time, everything is at stake. We are the guardians of the game – a game that has the power to unite and to heal,” Hussein told FIFA's congress as it prepared to vote.

Blatter responded by stating he hopes to reform FIFA, and will step down in four years. He argued the organization needs a “strong leader, an experienced leader.”

“We need to recover our good name. We will start tomorrow morning with this goal in mind,” he said.

U.S. Soccer had pledged to back Hussein on the eve of the vote, which took place during FIFA’s 65^th congress. Earlier in the day, the congress was marred by a bomb hoax.

“This is a vote for good governance and promise for our game,” said U.S. Soccer’s president, Sunil Gulati.

The comments came after FIFA's corruption scandal exploded on Wednesday. Seven FIFA officials were arrested when Swiss police swooped into a luxury hotel in Zurich ahead of the congress. The officials are set to be extradited to the United States, where they are suspected of receiving close to US$150 million in bribes. Many of those charged aren't U.S. citizens. However, the U.S. Department of Justice has used authority to pursue suspects outside U.S. jurisdiction, granted under the Patriot Act, Title III. Under the controversial legislation, suspects abroad can be charged if prosecutors can prove any links to the United States.

If FIFA officials are charged, the scandal could turn into one of the most high profile corruption cases in the United States in years – in stark contrast to the Obama administration's pursuit of bankers following the 2008 financial crisis. Since the crisis, no high level Wall Street bankers have been arrested or charged in relation to the crisis, despite the FBI warning as far back as 2004 of an “epidemic” of financial fraud.