Blatter's election hopes hit

Sepp Blatter has a lot to think about

By BBC Sport's Gordon Farquhar analyses the damage to Fifa president Sepp Blatter's chances of re-election following allegations of bribery.

The current controversy shrouding Sepp Blatter comes at a difficult time for the game's greatest politician.

Blatter is now truly up against it, and his chances of winning a second term as president appear to be diminishing by the day.

It now seems to have been established beyond much reasonable doubt that someone was offering incentives to members of African FAs to use their votes to put Blatter in power.

The source appears to have been from one of the Gulf states, and irrespective of just how much Blatter himself knew about this, the revelation that his election seems to have been rigged must surely undermine his credibility.

Another of Blatter's problems will come home to roost next week.

Blatter's term of office has been marked by a pattern of crisis and survival

BBC Sport's Gordon Farquhar

Three senior figures within the world governing body, Lennart Johansson, Issa Hayatou and Chung Mong Joon have challenged Blatter to set up an independent inquiry into the state of Fifa's finances.

They're not satisfied with Blatter's assertions that the damage caused to Fifa by the collapse of its marketing partner ISL caused only a small dent in the football family's wallet.

Blatter insists there's no need for the inquiry, and that "only" 50 million Swiss francs have been lost.

Others estimate it could be much higher. The trio of vice presidents have written to all 204 member associations, to explain why they want more answers.

Dark rumblings

An extraordinary meeting of the Fifa executive has been called for 7 March in Zurich. Thirteen members of the executive board, a majority of the 24, want an inquiry.

If Blatter refuses again, it could spark a constitutional crisis within Fifa.

It seems certain Blatter will now have to agree to the inquiry, and there are dark rumblings about what may be uncovered.

Blatter's term of office has been marked by a pattern of crisis and survival, but he's now in danger of becoming a lame duck well before the presidential elections in May.

The door seems to be now firmly open for one or both of Issa Hayatou or Chung Mong Joon to step forward and stand against him, as both have been hinting.