FIFA patronage endears Blatter to 196th-ranked Fiji

The unflinching support of tiny, developing countries has long been a vital plank of Sepp Blatter's political base and those in any doubt of the impact of FIFA's patronage need look no further than the Pacific Island nation of Fiji. With a population of just 900,000, Fiji is famous for punching above its weight in international rugby but remains a minnow in global soccer, its men's team a lowly 196th out of the 209 nations in world rankings.