Concacaf plots strategy for FIFA vote

• AP, Wednesday, March 9, 2011 12:22 AM

Should anyone choose to challenge incumbent Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency in June, Concacaf secretary-general Chuck Blazer says the 35 Concacaf members are likely to vote as one.

In a conference call with reporters following announcement of the groups and matches for the Gold Cup in June, Blazer -- still upset by FIFA's decision not to increase the alottment of World Cup slots to Concacaf -- said, "We have by and large had a history of voting collectively, so each national association places its own vote but does it I think in what will be the best interest collectively [of] the confederation, depending on the discussions that we would have at that time."

The issue will be discussed during the Concacaf Congress in Miami on May 3. Blatter is seeking a fourth term and could be opposed by Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Mohamed bin Hammam of Qatar. Pele has suggested UEFA President Michel Platini might also run. In the election to be held at the FIFA Congress on June 1, Concacaf has 35 votes, while Europe, Africa and Asia each have about 50. South America has 10 votes.

Blazer lost a battle last week to increase Concacaf's allotment of World Cup spots for the 2014 tournament in Brazil. Instead, the region will again have three automatic places, with a possible fourth to be gained in a playoff. In the final phase of qualifying for the 2010 competition, Concacaf member Costa Rica lost a playoff to Uruguay. "They knew I was angry when I sat in the room with them,'' he said. "It was a situation where they were each maintaining their own interests.''

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