Blatter Launches Campaign for Another Term as FIFA President

(ATR) FIFA president Sepp Blatter is planning a global tour as part of his campaign to be re-elected for a fourth four-year term next June.

He said Wednesday he would attend the congresses of all six confederations ahead of the FIFA Congress on June 1.

Blatter, 74, is expected to stand unopposed at the elections, although FIFA vice president Chung Mong Joon has indicated in recent months that he might challenge Blatter. The South Korean's intentions will become clear at next month's Asian Football Confederation Congress in Doha, Qatar.

"I look forward to meeting the representatives of the member associations there in person, addressing their concerns and, together, setting a strategic course for the future so that FIFA can support its members in an even more targeted and needs-based manner," Blatter said in his year-ending message.

The Swiss will first take his campaign to the Jan. 6 AFC Congress. Next stop is the Oceania Football Confederation meeting on Jan. 15 in Pago Pago, American Samoa where a new OFC president will be elected to replace disgraced former boss Reynald Temarii, who was forced out after becoming embroiled in the World Cup bid bribery scandal.

Blatter will then attend the Confederation of African Football Congress in Khartoum, Sudan in February and the UEFA Congress in Paris a month later.

CONMEBOL and CONCACAF hold their congresses in early May.

"I hope that you will support me in my mission," Blatter said in the second half of his two-part year-end message.

"I thank you for your trust and confidence."

Blatter, also an IOC member, was first elected to the FIFA presidency in 1998. A win in June would keep him there through 2015.

For more on the reelection campaign, visit World Football Insider.

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Written by Mark Bisson.