Sepp Blatter boosts re-election chances

SEPP Blatter's chances of being re-elected Fifa president were given another significant boost yesterday with a declaration of support from Africa.

The executive committee of the African Football Confederation (CAF) voted in a secret ballot to back Blatter against his challenger Mohamed Bin Hammam of Qatar.

Uefa, plus the South America and Oceania confederations, have also backed Blatter. Although individual associations will vote in the Fifa election on 1 June, the backing of their executive committees should prove influential.