The future of soccer's embattled governing body was at stake today 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 went to a second round today with the 79-year-old Blatter up for re-election against Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan.
Blatter received 133 votes in the first round to Prince Ali's 77, but it wasn't enough for a two-thirds majority. A straight majority will be enough in the second round.
Before the election started, 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."
Leading up to the election, Blatter refused calls to resign after FIFA was targeted by U.S. And Swiss authorities in separate corruption investigations.
Earlier Friday, Blatter spoke at the FIFA congress and said the crisis stems from the decision to award Russia and Qatar the next two World Cup tournaments. In 2010, Russia was chosen to host the 2018 World Cup and Qatar was awarded the 2022 tournament amid widespread allegations of wrongdoing.
"If two other countries had emerged from the envelope, I think we would not have these problems today," Blatter said.
"But we can't go back in time. We are not prophets. We can't say what would have happened."
The United States was one of the losing bidders for the 2022 World Cup. On Wednesday, U.S. Authorities indicted 14 people on bribery, racketeering, fraud and money-laundering charges going back to the 1990s.
Seven of the officials -- including two serving FIFA vice presidents -- were arrested in Zurich on Wednesday ahead of the congress.
"I am not going to use the word coincidence but I do have a small question mark," Blatter said about the timing of the raid.
