By DAN KARELL
Sepp Blatter isn’t ready to step away from FIFA just yet.
Despite making promises in 2011 that his election that year would be his last, Blatter sent yet another hint to the press that he intends to run for a fifth term as FIFA president in 2015. The 78-year-old claimed in an interview with a Swiss radio station that he was still in good health and that if the nations of FIFA nominated him to run again, he wouldn’t say no.
“I want to do it because it’s not over yet,” Blatter told Swiss newspaper Blick at an event in Zurich, Switzerland. “My mandate is certainly coming to its end but my mission is not yet complete.”
Blatter took over the FIFA post in 1998 for the Brazilian Joao Havalange. Blatter is expected to be challenged by Frenchman Jerome Champagne and possibly current FIFA vice-president Michel Platini.
Blatter has been involved in many controversies during his time as FIFA president, with allegations ranging from bribes to sexism and racism.
Here are some more stories to kick off your weekend:
DIEGO COSTA, PEPE COULD BE DOUBTS THIS WEEKEND AND FOR UCL FINAL
Both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid could be without key players for their upcoming UEFA Champions League final encounter.
Real Madrid defender Pepe has been diagnosed with a grade one tear in his left calf muscle and is set for a minimum of 15 days on the sidelines. Pepe suffered the injury during Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw at Real Valladolid and though he played the full 90 minutes, an MRI scan showed the damage on Thursday.
For Atletico, they could be without their star forward Diego Costa for the rest of the season. Atletico released a medical report saying that the Brazilian-born Spanish international had suffered a hamstring strain, forcing Costa out of training on Friday.
At the very least, Costa could miss Atletico’s important final home game against Malaga on Saturday, and at worst, his hamstring might keep him out for the La Liga finale against Barcelona and even the Champions League final.
With just 15 days until the Champions League final, both players are in a race to fully recover in time.
ROONEY, JONES SET TO BE FIT FOR WORLD CUP
Manchester United will be missing Wayne Rooney and Phil Jones for their final match of the season, but the duo’s injuries reportedly won’t keep them out of World Cup contention.
At his pre-match press conference, Man United interim manager Ryan Giggs confirmed the duo’s absence from the season finale at Southampton but allayed fears from England manager Roy Hodgson that Rooney and Jones would miss the plane to Brazil. Rooney reportedly has a “tight groin” while Jones is suffering from a shoulder injury, though it wasn’t dislocated after a collision in Man United’s home finale against Hull City.
“Wayne has just started training over the last couple of days,” Giggs told reporters. “Sunday probably will be a little be a bit too quick for him but he’ll train and be fine for the World Cup. Phil’s injury isn’t as bad as I thought on the night. He’s obviously out for Sunday but should be OK for the World Cup.”
QUICK KICKS
Another stadium worker has died in Brazil after an electrical accident at the Arena Pantanal. (REPORT)
Arsene Wenger has called for clubs who break Financial Fair Play rules to be banned from European competitions. (REPORT)
Jose Mourinho was fined £10,000 by the FA for statements made about referee Mike Dean following Chelsea’s defeat to Sunderland. (REPORT)
Lionel Messi’s father Jorge has denied that he and Lionel had ever asked that Barcelona buy Sergio Aguero in the Messi’s contract negotiations. (REPORT)
Reports in the Mexican press believe that former Mexico boss Victor Manuel Vucetich could take over as Chivas manager but only under certain conditions, such as bringing in a number of quality players. (REPORT)
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What do you think of these reports? Think Sepp Blatter can win a fifth term? Do you see Costa and Pepe being fit for the final? Expect to see Rooney and Jones fully fit for England in Brazil?
Share your thoughts below.