Blatter's future as president at stake in FIFA election

ZURICH (AP) — The future of soccer's embattled governing body was at stake Friday as Sepp Blatter sought a fifth term as FIFA president amid the biggest corruption crisis in the organization's 111-year history.

Voting among the 209 member federations began Friday with the 79-year-old Blatter up for re-election against Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan. Both men gave final speeches just before the vote.

Blatter said he would guide FIFA through the "storm" caused by the investigations.

"You know who you are dealing with. I also know that I can count on you," Blatter said. "I am with you. I would just like to stay with you. It is a matter of trust."

A two-thirds majority would be enough for Blatter or Prince Ali to win the secret presidential vote, or a simple majority in a second round of voting. Just forcing the ballot to a second round could represent a victory of sorts for Blatter's critics, denying the incumbent president an emphatic mandate in his next term.

Leading up to the election, Blatter refused calls to resign after FIFA was targeted by U.S. and Swiss authorities in separate corruption investigations.