Blatter unopposed for a third term

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GENEVA, Switzerland -- FIFA president Sepp Blatter will be unchallenged when he stands for re-election on May 31, world football's governing body said on Monday.

No other candidate had come forward by the March 31 deadline for the election during the FIFA Congress in Zurich, FIFA announced in a statement.

Sixty-six out of world football's 207 national associations have nominated Blatter for his third term at the helm of FIFA.

"Over the past nine years, I have managed to overcome a range of difficulties and bring about several improvements thanks to their help and to the support of other members of the global football family," the 71-year-old said.

"During my third period of office, football will acquire a more pronounced and extensive social role," he added.

The Swiss lawyer was FIFA General Secretary under the wing of Joao Havelange until he was elected president for the first time in 1998 when the Brazilian retired.

Blatter's re-election in 2002 for what became a five-year period was marked by an acrid battle with African confederation chief Issa Hayatou, as critics raised allegations of financial impropriety or mismanagement at FIFA headquarters.

Blatter has firmly denied any wrongdoing and underlined the health of the governing body's finances under his stewardship in recent years.

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