Pele backs Blatter bid for re-election

Rio de Janeiro, March 21: Football legend Pele has lent his support to the re-election bid of FIFA president Joseph Blatter.

Blatter, 79, will vie for a fifth four-year term in charge of football’s governing body at an election on May 29, reports Xinhua.

“I’m going to be clear. I support Sepp Blatter because he has more experience. He has been there for a long time,” Pele said on Friday.

“Obviously you sometimes need to have changes in life but I am going to support Blatter. I think he can still do a good job.”

Blatter’s rivals for FIFA’s top post include Dutch Football Association president Michael van Praag, former Portugal forward Luis Figo and Jordan’s Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein.

Pele said Blatter had already left a positive legacy on the game during his 17 years as president.

“People should pay attention to something. For many years football was domited by two or three teams. Now there is growth in places like Asia and Africa,” Pele added. IANS