Sepp Blatter: Ready to seek a fifth term in office

FIFA's member associations have rejected proposals to introduce term mandates and age limits for elected executives paving the way for Sepp Blatter to run for re-election as president of world football's governing body.

Members from the 209 associations were asked to approve or reject the ideas in principle and the majority voted against both proposals, although FIFA did not give an exact vote count.

"We are completely against these changes," Yves Jean Bart, president of the Haitian FA said. "We are working in a democratic system and that is the system that needs to prevail."

Blatter faced calls to relinquish his presidency from FA chairman Greg Dyke, as well as the heads of other European football associations, in the wake of recent corruption allegations involving the bid process for the 2022 World Cup.

But a defiant Blatter told FIFA's Congress he is ready to seek a fifth term in office.

"I'm ready to accompany you in the future," he said.

"The candidature period is not yet open so no one can be a candidate. I know that my mandate will finish next year on June 29 in Zurich - but my mission is not finished."

"And I tell you together we will build the new FIFA together. We have the foundations today. Congress will decide who will take this great institution forward."

"It's a tough decision but I can tell you I am ready to accompany you for the game, for the world - but it is your decision."

Blatter, who succeeded Joao Havelange as FIFA president in 1998, has recently hinted he will run again even though he said when he won in 2011 that it would be his last term.

Despite facing opposition from a number of European associations, the Swiss enjoys strong support among the African and Asian blocs, who owing to their size constitute a powerful voting force within FIFA.