How Blatter has controlled voting blocs and 209 members ... until now

Fifa’s 209 members are expected to elect president Sepp Blatter to a fifth term on Friday, based on statements in recent months issued by continental confederations, despite cracks appearing in his support bases.

How does Blatter have such loyalty? Thanks to the vast increase in television rights fees during his 17 years heading the organisation, Blatter has redistributed billions back to national governing bodies and regional confederations.

In addition to influxes of cash for their soccer programmes, officials from even the smallest territories have been able to attend Fifa events, stay at the world’s finest hotels, eat in top restaurants, all while receiving large per diems. They also get to compete to stage dozens of global and regional tournaments.

Fifa reported revenue for the 2011-14 cycle of US$5.72 billion, and it distributed US$1.05 billion for development. Fifa said its Goal Programme funded 200 projects worth at least US$500,000 each during the period.

That money has made many Fifa officials intensely loyal to Blatter.

A look at the regions and the voting blocs in Friday’s balloting between Blatter and Jordan’s Prince Ali bin Al-Hussein: Nations vote by secret paper ballot. A two-thirds majority is necessary on the first ballot, and a simple majority on succeeding ballots.