SAO PAULO (AP) — FIFA member countries have thrown out proposals to introduce age and term limits for football officials.

The modernizing moves have long been regarded by FIFA’s anti-corruption advisers as an essential step to change the scandal-hit governing body’s culture.

FIFA’s 209 countries voted down separate proposals in principle on Wednesday, at public ballots during their congress.

Term limits had seemed more likely to win approval.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter, who is 78, had widely campaigned against age limits as a form of discrimination. He is expected to seek a fifth straight term, although a vote in favor Wednesday would not have affected FIFA’s presidential election next May.

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