While there's hardly any doubt, FIFA President Sepp Blatter won't declare himself a candidate for re-election just yet. He did reveal on Wednesday, though, how deeply hurt he was by hearing that European countries no longer want him in the role. Blatter passed up a chance to formally announce his re-election plans for a fifth term bid in 2015 when he addressed his 209 member nations at their annual congress ahead of the World Cup.
What he did show at a later news conference was raw emotions about UEFA officials making a face-to-face demand in a closed-door meeting Tuesday that he step aside next year."That was the most disrespectful thing I have experienced in my entire life," Blatter said in German, "on the football pitch and in my home."
FIFA's media chief cut short his boss's response as Blatter seemed ready to unload further on the only football continent that refuses to publicly support the 78-year-old Swiss official's expected candidacy in the election next May.Blatter's outburst was more surprising after an all-day congress meeting seemed to go entirely to his plan. Members tossed out proposals on age and term limits for Blatter and others; FIFA cheered the hall by promising $200 million in bonus payment from World Cup profits; andBlatter unveiled a new idea, a review system for team managers to challenge referees' decisions.