Blatter: FIFA members must ask for election bid

ZURICH (AP) - FIFA President Sepp Blatter insists his expected re-election bid in 2015 still needs consent from 209 football nations next month.

Blatter sought that approval in a FIFA interview on Friday, stating that “a mission is never finished.”

“I am available to go on with this mission,” said Blatter, who became FIFA’s leader in 1998 and has dropped strong hints since February that he wants to stay.

Still, the FIFA boss said his member countries must say they want him to campaign for another term.

“It is to the congress to act, to say yes or no,” said Blatter, whose intention to be a candidate should be confirmed on June 11 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

He would be 79 on election day - a secret ballot of the 209 members next May 29 in Zurich.

The deadline for candidates to declare is January.

UEFA President Michel Platini has said he will decide later this year after meetings with leaders of the 54 European federations.

FIFA’s former international relations director Jerome Champagne, a longtime Blatter ally, said at a London launch in January he would be a candidate.

Blatter said Friday the FIFA congress in Sao Paulo would also deal with unfinished business in reforms he began when re-elected amid damaging allegations swirling around FIFA in 2011.

FIFA members must decide if they want age and term limits for the president and senior officials.

Blatter reminded that changes at FIFA must also be introduced at continental and national level, including independent ethics and audit monitoring.

“Decisions have been taken - now do it,” Blatter said.