Platini 7-4 to replace Blatter as Fifa chief
SEPP BLATTER sensationally announced that he would resign as president of Fifa and bookmakers have differing opinions on who will replace the controversial Swiss supremo.
The 79-year-old has called an extraordinary Fifa congress to elect a new president and Michel Platini and Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan are seen as the two men most likely to benefit from Blatter’s exit.
Uefa president Platini did not stand against Blatter last week but Hills rate him 5-4 favourite. However, Ladbrokes quote 7-4 Platini and 5-4 Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan, who is a 7-4 shot with Hills to be the next head of football’s governing body.
Luis Figo has been a huge critic of Blatter and the voting procedure that saw the Portuguese superstar drop out of the last race, but he is 6-1 to get the main gig this time.
The market is unlikely to be settled quickly whoever is elected as there needs to be four months’ notice for any elections.
Blatter, who was 2-5 to see out his full term and 5-1 to be gone this year after being re-elected on Friday, said: “Although the members of Fifa gave me a new mandate, this mandate does not seem to be supported by everyone in the world of football.”
Hills are 4-7 that Qatar will keep hold of the 2022 World Cup and 5-4 it is played elsewhere, although Ladbrokes are far more confident that the Gulf state will host the tournament.
Qatar is only 1-6 with Ladbrokes to host 2022, while USA can be backed at 3-1 and Australia is 9-1.
