Sepp Blatter could be open to the possibility of standing for re-election as Fifa president, the BBC understands.
The 79-year-old said he was standing down as the head
of world football's governing body less than two weeks ago, just four
days into his fifth term.
A new president was expected to be elected, probably in mid-December.
But a source close to Blatter has told the BBC the
Swiss could make an audacious bid to stay on if no suitable alternative
candidate emerges.
"Everything is open", said the source.
Blatter will hold meetings over the coming days when he
will gauge whether he still retains enough support to seek an
astonishing sixth term as president.
FIifa has officially referred inquiries over Blatter's
intentions to his resignation speech on 2 July, in which he promised to
start work on new reforms and said "I shall not be a candidate" in the
next election.
However, in 2011 Blatter also claimed his fourth term
would be his last, only to renege on the pledge. It is now possible he
could attempt a similar, but even more controversial U-turn.
Any attempt by Blatter to cling to power will be met
with fierce opposition in the wake of the FBI-led corruption
investigation that has plunged Fifa into turmoil and seen the arrest of
several senior football officials.
Many critics have demanded that Blatter steps down
immediately, rather than wait until an extraordinary meeting of the Fifa
Congress in the winter.
Many feared he would use his remaining months in charge
to try to ensure the election of a favoured successor. Now it appears
he may choose to sensationally stand himself.
Tellingly, the man entrusted to lead Fifa out of its
latest crisis has appeared to warn Blatter not to rethink his
resignation.
Domenico Scala, chairman of Fifa's audit and compliance
committee, said it was "indispensable to follow with the initiated
process of the president's change as has been announced".
The statement was in response to a report in Swiss
newspaper Schweiz am Sonntag that Blatter had not ruled out remaining in
office after receiving support from football officials in Africa and
Asia.
But Scala, who has been given the task of overseeing
the election of Blatter's successor, said: "For me, the reforms are the
central topic."
His statement is the first sign of potential tension between the pair.
One of the reforms Scala has recommended, as well as
greater financial transparency and a new governance structure, is three
terms of a maximum 12 years in total for both the president and Fifa
executive committee members.
Blatter has already served 17 years as the sport's most powerful figure.
Campaign group New Fifa Now has insisted an independent
reform commission is the only means of ensuring meaningful changes to
the way football is run.
Ever since he announced his resignation, those vying to replace Blatter have been considering when to make their move.
If he does stand again, he may look to present himself
as the best means of avoiding one confederation - such as Uefa -
gaining excessive power.
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