The South American Football Confederation ( CONMEBOL ) Congress held in Paraquay this week has given the first indication that the FIFA presidential election in May might not be a procession to Sepp Blatter ’ s fifth term in office . The confederation had been expected to give Blatter a unanimous vote of support . But the motion was never put to the 10 delegates , in the knowledge that it would not be fully backed . The South American Football Confederation ( CONMEBOL ) Congress was held in Paraguay this week . There were signs that Sepp Blatter may not have the unanimous support of South America . CONMEBOL has long been a Blatter stronghold , but a number of the old guard have been replaced by football federation leaders , including President Juan Angel Napout , who won ’ t necessarily back Blatter at all costs . The significance of the CONMEBOL snub to Blatter is that it was the first confederation gathering since three genuine challengers —Prince Ali of Jordan , Belgium ’ s Michael van Praag and Portugal ’ s former world footballer of the year Luis Figo — declared their candidacy for the FIFA presidency . Blatter ’ s overwhelming shows of support in Asia and Africa occurred when the FIFA president wasn ’ t expected to face any realistic opposition . But all the challengers were in Asuncion , Paraquay on the campaign trail . All the challengers , including Luis Figo , were in Asuncion , Paraguay on the campaign trail . Radio 5 Live have made little ballyhoo of their considerable coup in having John Francome on their team for the Cheltenham Festival . Natural broadcaster Francome has done no media work since leaving Channel 4 — where he has been hugely missed — after they changed their racing production company from Highflyer to IMG . BBC ’ s caution at promoting Francome ’ s exciting return is understood to be because 5 Live do not yet know how much time he will be available to work . Radio 5 Live have made little fuss of capturing John Francome for their team for the Cheltenham Festival . The disproportionate financial power of the clubs compared to the national ruling body is such that Mike Rigg — a key member of FA technical director Dan Ashworth ’ s staff at St George ’ s Park as head of talent identification — can be attracted away to become chief football officer at Championship strugglers Fulham by the offer of nearly four times his FA salary . The FA ’ s £1.5m-a-year official beer brand deal with Budweiser for the FA Cup until 2018 at least gives them small respite from the scrutiny around their year-long failure to land a lead sponsor — ironically to replace Budweiser — for the most famous club knockout competition in football . The Budweiser contract will also give them exposure on the interview backboards for the quarter-finals at the weekend which were giving the impression that William Hill , the betting partner , were the main sponsor . The FA have a new £1.5m-a-year official beer brand deal with Budweiser for the FA Cup until 2018 . The England Cricket Board are now faced with a number of counties believing the Sky monopoly of cricket must end , with more of the game shown on terrestrial TV to help address falling participation . So , in their wisdom , the ECB have appointed Sky Sports greatest disciple Chris Haynes as their new director of communications — as Sports Agenda predicted . During 24 years as a Sky spokesman , Haynes was seemingly programmed only to be super-positive about his employers . Cheltenham ’ s former sponsorship chief Peter McNeile fell on his sword two years ago . It came after he told a reporter the Jockey Club , which own the course , were seeking a single , bluechip sponsor from outside the betting industry for three of its top races , including the Cheltenham Gold Cup . Yet all four of the marquee races at the Festival still have bookmaker names attached to them . A Jockey Club spokesman said Cheltenham had three new sponsors from outside the betting industry and were pleased with the portfolio . Tom Scudamore and Dynaste charge away with the Ryanair Steeplechase at Cheltenham Racecourse . Kate Miller , highly combative head of racing PR for William Hill , is leaving the bookmakers after Cheltenham to join agency GolinHarris who conveniently have just renewed their consumer PR contract with William Hill . Meanwhile , the bookmakers have still to appoint a communications director five months after the search started for a job paying as much as £200,000-a-year to the right candidate .
Sepp Blatter does not have full control of voting in election . All the FIFA presidential election candidates were at the recent election . The FA have nominated Mike Rigg to succeed who quadrupled his candidacy . The FA Cup has a new official logo ( it 's the same as the old official beer )