Blatter promises to stand down in 2015

Sepp Blatter, who once said a FIFA president should serve only two terms, has promised that he will finally step down if re-elected in June for a fourth stint. He faces a challenge from Asian president Mohamed bin Hammam, who has promised he would serve only two terms. Blatter, 75-year-old veteran of world football politics, made his retirement pledge to UEFA Congress in Paris. This was a significant stage since he was heard out not only by delegates of 53 federations who will vote for or against him on June 1 but by a potential long-term successor in UEFA leader Michel Platini.

At the heart of FIFA since 1975 when he arrived as development officer, Blatter has never made any secret of his wish to continue. He considers that much remains to be done to fulfil his “mission” of expanding football’s influence across the spheres of health, education and international understanding. Blatter, who succeeded Joao Havelange as president in 1998, told UEFA Congress: “You know very well that I am a candidate for the next four years as FIFA president but these will be the last four years for which I stand as a candidate."Together we have the task of bringing together the adventure we have started. We want to ensure a better future for our youth."Blatter told the Congress that FIFA would now have "zero tolerance" for corruption - two FIFA executive committee members were banned last year after asking for money in return for votes for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup hosting rights.

He said: "We can see cases of corruption that really hurt the whole football family and for this reason at the FIFA Congress we will show we will have zero tolerance."We will have zero tolerance on the pitch, more education, more respect towards the referees. There will be zero tolerance beyond the pitch - we have the instruments for that, the disciplinary committee, the ethics committee, and it's time to act. We will do whatever is necessary."Blatter also praised the experimental use of two extra assistant referees behind each goalline which was promoted originally by Platini and is now being trialled in European club competition and international football.Earlier Platini, re-elected unopposed by UEFA delegates for his own second term, promised to step up his campaign against violence and illegal betting in his next four years. He also reiterated his belief in the value of the forthcoming financial fair play regulations.

**AIPS