Votes from Asia and Oceania help secure new FIFA Presidential term for Sepp Blatter

With world football governing body FIFA engulfed in chaos and controversy its President, Sepp Blatter, has secured a fifth term in charge.

The 79-year-old defeated his rival, the Jordanian Prince Ali Bin al-Hussein, in voting in Switzerland overnight.

In the first round of voting Blatter polled 133 votes to Prince Ali’s 73 (which included those of the Australian and New Zealand federations), which would have been enough to take the contest to a potential second round. However, Prince Ali withdrew from the second vote leaving Blatter free to secure a fifth term at FIFA's helm.

However, while many federations in Europe voted for Prince Ali, football federations across Asia, Oceania and Africa backed Blatter.

Summing up the mood for change, New Zealand Football (NZF) President Mark Aspden said the emerging corruption scandal showed real change could not be implemented under Blatter.

In a conference call from Auckland, Apsden told reporters "given the developments in the past 48 hours - which have been deeply distressing for all of us who love football - New Zealand Football believes substantive change is now essential within FIFA as soon as possible to repair its tarnished reputation.

"The (NZF) executive committee believes that real change can only be implemented with a new president in place, and accordingly, we have opted to support the election of Prince Ali bin al-Hussein."

NZF has been a long-standing supporter of the embattled FIFA President but Apsden said the NZF had no faith meaningful reform could happen under Blatter's watch and the 79-year-old had to stand down regardless of whether he was aware of any corruption.

Apsden added “he has been the person at the helm of the ship while all of this been happening.

"If an organisation here had such fundamental ethical issues it would be impossible for a chief executive or board chair not to step down in those circumstances."

In a rambling victory speech citing God and Allah after his re-election, Blatter stated "I am not perfect, nobody is perfect, but we will do a good job together I am sure.

"I take the responsibility to bring back FIFA where it should be... Let's go FIFA!"

Michel Platini, the President of the European football body, UEFA, which had backed Prince Ali, said "I am proud that Uefa has defended and supported a movement for change at FIFA, change which in my opinion is crucial if this organisation is to regain its credibility."

Global citizens' movement Avaaz, which started the #BlatterOut campaign, quickly condemned the re-election.

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