It had been hoped by some that in the wake of the current corruption scandal involving bribery and vote-buying, Sepp Blatter might finally be toppled from his throne. The long-serving president of FIFA faced a growing threat from his only candidate, Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of Jordan, after a number of countries and informal voting blocs flipped to the younger, reform-promising candidate.

Unfortunately, the support won by Prince Ali was not enough to win the election. He earned 73 votes in the initial round of voting, enough to keep Sepp Blatter from earning the 140 votes for the two-thirds supermajority needed to win outright. The second round didn't happen after Prince Ali gracefully withdrew from the election process.

Prince Ali's language was telling. He thanked "all the people who were brave enough to support me."

— Sam Borden (@SamBorden) May 29, 2025

Blatter will serve four further years as the FIFA president, despite the ongoing scandal and his promise to not stand for reelection in 2011. Hopefully we'll see some positive change in the next few years, but ... don't hold your breath.

Blatter: "I thank you that you accepted me and for the next 4 yrs I'll be in command of this boat called Fifa. We'll bring it back to shore"

— Oliver Kay (@OliverKayTimes) May 29, 2025

Anyone hoping that this scandal might see one or both of the questionably-awarded World Cups coming up be moved, well, that's not happening.

Blatter: "I will not touch the World Cup"

— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) May 29, 2025