German soccer head suggests Blatter not run, become 'honorary' FIFA president
DUESSELDORF, Germany -- The German Football Federation chief says he's told FIFA boss Sepp Blatter he should become honorary president and not run for a new mandate.
Wolfgang Niersbach, on the fringe of a sponsors' conference, said FIFA could regain ''a positive image only with different faces at the top.''
Niersbach said he told Blatter in a private conversation, ''I'd find it good if he became honorary president.''
The much-criticized Blatter wants to extend his 17-year FIFA presidency at the May 29 ballot, and is widely expected to win his fifth term.
Three rival candidates, all supported by UEFA, are running against Blatter: Michael van Praag of the Netherlands, Portugal great Luis Figo, and FIFA vice president Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan.
