ASTANA: FIFA president Sepp Blatter has repeated, while attending the UEFA Congress in Kazakhstan, that he will clarify his future intentions in Sao Paulo on the eve of the World Cup writes KEIR RADNEDGE.

Blatter, 78, is expected to state, during the world federation’s congress, that he willing to stand for a fifth term in office next year. He was elected originally in 1998 after spells as development officer, general secretary and chief executive.

UEFA president Michel Platini, a possible challenger, said that he would not make any decision until later in the year.

He told journalists in Astana: “There is only one person who can beat Blatter.” Asked who, he responded: “Me but I stress the word ‘can’ not ‘will'”.

“It is not the goal of my life but I have many people who support me around the world who have asked me to run. I will consult many people but it will be my personal decision in the end.”

Only one man, Jerome Champagne, has launched an official candidacy. Champagne spent 11 years as a senior official within FIFA before being ousted in January 2010.

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