Blatter urges competition in presidency race

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has urged his critics to present a candidate to stand against him for the upcoming presidential election, or let him continue with the job himself.

Blatter has been at the helm of the world's soccer governing body for the past 17 years, with his leadership coming under fire in recent years, especially from Europe's governing body, Uefa.

However, Blatter has welcomed his nay-sayers and encouraged them to present a viable candidate to run against him as he looks set for a fifth term in office in charge of Fifa.

“All of those that want to get rid of me, they should come,” Blatter told CNN. “All this opposition is coming, and it is unfortunate to say it is coming from Nyon; it is coming from Uefa.

“They don't have the courage to come in so [they should] let me go, and be respectful.

“Football is a team sport, so let's go together as a team. I invite Uefa, especially the leaders of Uefa who are so bitterly attacking me … Join, join, because football is a community.”

Blatter said he is more than happy to continue in his position, as he feels he has not finished his “mission”.

“It is impossible to make everybody happy,” he said. “If I had only positive press, that would not be good,” he continued. “I like criticism, but only as long as it is a fair criticism.

“I have not finished my mission because it's a mission to be in football. We started in 2011 the reform process, and that process is not over.”

So far, ex-France international David Ginola, French former Fifa deputy general secretary Jerome Champagne and Jordanian FA chief Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein have all signalled their intentions to run for the Fifa presidency, but have until Thursday to submit their applications ahead of May's election.