Oceania's 11 nations back Blatter in FIFA election

FIFA President Sepp Blatter has won the backing of Oceania's 11 soccer nations in his re-election campaign.

Oceania Football Confederation President David Chung says all the members agreed that FIFA under Blatter has had a ''significant impact'' on soccer's development and popularity in their region.

Chung says the 11 nations can still independently choose to back Blatter's rival, Mohamed bin Hammam of Qatar, but Thursday's decision shows ''unity and transparency'' in Oceania.

Blatter, who's been president since 1998, also has been publicly supported by leaders of European authority UEFA and South America's CONMEBOL confederation.

FIFA's 208 national members will vote June 1 at their congress in Zurich.