Sepp Blatter will step down in 2015 if he gets fourth term

Blatter is seeking a fourth term as Fifa president and is being challenged by Asian confederation chief Mohamed Bin Hammam.

The 75-year-old told Uefa's Congress in Paris yesterday that, if he wins, he will definitely stand down in 2015.

Blatter said: "You know very well that I am a candidate for the next four years as Fifa president but these will be the last four years for which I stand as a candidate.

"Together we have the task of bringing together the adventure we have started.

"We want to ensure a better future for our youth."

Blatter's announcement appears to be a direct appeal to the 53 European countries to support him and then he will make way for Uefa president Michel Platini in 2015.

Bin Hammam revealed yesterday he would be interested in cutting a deal with Platini to oust Blatter - but the Qatari would certainly want eight years in office.

Blatter told the Congress that Fifa would now have "zero tolerance" for corruption - two Fifa executive committee members were banned last year after asking for money in return for votes for the 2018 and 2022 World Cup hosting rights.

He said: "We can see cases of corruption that really hurt the whole football family and for this reason at the Fifa Congress we will show we will have zero tolerance.

"We will have zero tolerance on the pitch, more education, more respect towards the referees.

"There will be zero tolerance beyond the pitch - we have the instruments for that, the disciplinary committee, the ethics committee, and it's time to act.

"We will do whatever is necessary."

Blatter also praised Platini's plan of having two extra assistant referees behind each goalline, which is now being trialled in European club competition and international football.

He added: "I'm happy to commend Uefa for its revolutionary view of refereeing and having five or even six officials on or near the pitch, not just three or four - this is a compliment."

The campaign for the Fifa presidency will heat up further today when Blatter comes face to face with his challenger Bin Hammam.

Blatter is due to address the Uefa Congress in Paris while Bin Hammam has also been in the French capital to drum up support.

Bin Hammam, 61, who will meet the Football Association next month as part of his campaign, has promised more transparency in Fifa, open voting for World Cup bidding, and to limit the presidency to eight years.

Bin Hammam said: "I was a supporter of Blatter and I have never regretted anything about that - he has contributed a lot for the development of the game.

"But he has been there a long time in that position."There must be the question: Mr President - when is it enough? I will limit myself to a maximum of eight years. If I am elected I will bring the proposal back so that the president of Fifa remains only for eight years.

"Mr Blatter came wanting eight years, two mandates, then 12 years and three mandates, and now four mandates and actually nothing is changing in the last three or four years.

"I am not saying I am the Godfather of football but I don't see anything moving, anything changing.

"Most of what we are seeing and hearing is criticism from outside towards Fifa and most of the time I don't think it's fair."

Bin Hammam faces an uphill struggle to win votes in Uefa, many of whom would prefer Blatter to keep the seat warm for Platini to take over in 2015 and, up until yesterday, he had not even gained the backing of the FA from his own country, Qatar.

The FA may provide high-profile backing though - senior figures in the organisation are pushing for them to officially back Bin Hammam, although no decision will be made until a board meeting next month.

The challenger insists he would not change the four British associations' privilege of having their own Fifa vice-president.

"No, I will not change that," he said. "I enjoy a very good relationship with the FA and the Premier League and I am planning to meet them next month."