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THE corruption crisis engulfing Fifa failed to topple Sepp Blatter yesterday as he was elected president for a fifth term. The Swiss will continue to lead world football’s governing body into his eighties after winning by a majority of 133 to 73 in the first round of the vote at the Fifa Congress in Zurich.

Blatter was just seven short of a majority and his opponent, Prince Ali bin al-Hussein decided to withdraw before the second round.

Despite 73 member associations throwing their support behind Blatter’s sole opponent, there will be no change at the top of the embattled organisation.

It means Blatter, 79, will remain at the helm as authorities in the United States lead an investigation into endemic racketeering, bribery and money laundering involving leading Fifa officials going back decades.

The result also significantly increases the prospect of European nations boycotting future World Cups, as mooted by president Michel Platini on Thursday.

In his acceptance speech, Blatter, who has been in charge since 1998 and will serve another four years said: “First of all I would like to give compliments and express my gratitude to his Royal Highness Prince Ali.

“He was a competitor, a challenger and he has obtained a very good result. He could have easily said ‘let’s go further — perhaps I will receive more votes’.

“I thank you that you accepted me and for the next four years I will be in command of this boat called Fifa and we will bring it back off shore and back to the beach. We will finally bring ot back to where football can be played.

“I take the responsibility to bring back Fifa and I’m convinced we can do it. I’m a faithful man and God will help us bring back Fifa to where it should be. I promise you that at the end of this term I will give Fifa to my successor in a strong position.”

The victory is also set to see further protests from Uefa — the first action has come from David Gill, the Football Association vice-chairman who will reject the post of British vice-president as he does not want to serve under Blatter.

Gill will not attend the post-Congress executive committee meeting on Saturday where a decision is set to be taken on the allocation of World Cup places to each confederation.

Prince Ali’s speech calling for reform ahead of the vote failed to win over delegates committed to returning Blatter to office.

The Jordanian prince said: “We have heard in recent days, voices which described our Fifa as an avaricious body which feeds on the game that the world loves.

“We have heard questions raised about whether our family is morally bankrupt. And we have heard countless individuals ponder how on earth it could have gotten so bad.

“There are no easy answers. And no blame that can be cast that will wash away the stain that marks us all.

“And yet, nothing in life can exist without hope. And even the darkest nights are broken by a new dawn.”

The 39-year-old head of the Jordanian FA added: “Change is not an event. It is a process. It is not about empowering wrong doing and then demanding to root it out.

“Our path — and our way to the future — must be lit by the creation of a culture that empowers transparency, inclusivity and accountability.

“Our rehabilitation in public perception will only come through the actions and work of all of us, together, pulling in the same direction, for the good of the sport, and for Fifa.”

Earlier, in a rambling speech to open Friday’s Fifa Congress, beleaguered Blatter claimed things would be different if two other countries had emerged from the envelopes.

He meant England for 2018 and USA for 2022 — a dig at the British media who have led the anti-Blatter agenda and the FBI, whose investigations led to seven arrests and 14 officials indicted on bribery and kickback charges by the US Attorney.

Blatter said: “They call into question the World Cups of 2018 and 2022. In December 2010 here in Zurich when we decided on the two World Cups in one session.

“If two other countries had emerged from the envelopes, we would not have these problems today. But we can’t go back in time, we are not prophets. We can’t say what would have happened.”

Pro-Palestinian protesters briefly interrupted Blatter’s speech with world football’s governing body set to vote later on whether to expel Israel from the organisation.

The two female protesters stormed the opening address, waving red cards at Fifa representatives and chanting “Israel out!” before being escorted out of the hall by security guards.

A group of around 150 pro-Palestinian protesters had gathered to chant outside Zurich’s Hallenstadion before the congress started.

A bomb scare during lunch only added to the drama as the delegates from the 209 associations were told they were not permitted to remain in the Congress Hall.

British Prime Minister David Cameron had earlier urged Blatter to step down, saying “the sooner that happens the better”.

Speaking in Berlin, he said: “In my view he should go. You cannot have accusations of corruption at this level and on this scale in this organisation and pretend that the person currently leading it is the right person to take it forward. That cannot be the case.

“Frankly what we have seen is the ugly side of the beautiful game and he should go.

“And the sooner that happens the better and the faster that organisation can start to rebuild its credibility which is so important because so many people around the world want to see this game properly managed, properly looked after so we can all enjoy the World Cups of the future.”

The head of Brazil’s football federation fled Switzerland on the eve of the vote.

Marco Polo Del Nero left Zurich on Thursday night along with members of his personal delegation amid rumours he was spooked by the arrest of his predecessor Jose Maria Marin the day before.

Marin, who was in charge of the Brazilian FA between 2012 and 2015, was one of the 14 men indicted in the United States-led investigation into £100m of Fifa corruption.

A Fifa spokesman confirmed Del Nero had checked out of the five-star Baur au Lac hotel, where the dawn raids took place on Wednesday, and left the country — though he did not state why.

Del Nero, 74, was not one of those indicted by the United States. He is a member of Fifa’s 24-member executive committee.

Even if he is re-elected, the Swiss could face a Uefa revolution that could see the European nations secede from the world governing body, withdrawing from events such as the World Cup.

English FA chairman Greg Dyke supported Platini’s proposed boycott of the World Cup.

He told the Today programme on BBC Radio 4: “There is no point in one or two countries saying ‘we’re not going to take part’ because they will carry on with the tournament without them and that is pretty unfair on the fans.

“But if Uefa as a group said “look, unless you get this sorted we are not going to be in the World Cup” then I think that we would join them.”

Meanwhile, former Fifa vice-president Jack Warner appeared at a political rally for his Independent Liberal Party in Chaguanas, Trinidad and Tobago, on Thursday.

Having surrendered to authorities on Wednesday, he was granted bail but left jail in an ambulance complaining of exhaustion.

But the politician still had enough energy to rant against the corruption charges.

He said: “If I have been thieving Fifa money for 30 years, who give me the money? How come he is not charged? Why only persons from Third World countries have been charged?”

Warner’s remarks drew enthusiastic cheers and applause from his supporters. — Dailymail.