English FA turning its attention to Uefa

The English Football Association, now facing estranged relations with Fifa because of its position in wanting to postpone Sepp Blatter's election, will turn its attention to Uefa and a new television contract.

After failing to halt Sepp Blatter's re-election, the country he calls the game's "motherland" is turning its attention from Fifa to focus on its position in Europe.

The English Football Association (FA) proposed that Blatter's unchallenged "coronation" be postponed amid corruption allegations. But Blatter easily secured his fourth term with 186 out of 203 votes.

With Fifa vice presidents "pouring vitriol" on England, as the FA general secretary Alex Horne put it, the country has never looked more isolated.

"We might have made some new friends but pushed others away," Horne said. "Taking a strong side like that will appeal to some people, and we'll find out who they are in the next few weeks … Our tactic now is to make sure we've not damaged our relationships in Europe."

Uefa now holds the key to a vital revenue stream for the FA.

European football's governing body has centralised broadcast rights for qualifying matches to major tournaments, from the 2016 European Championships onwards, giving the 53 members guaranteed income.

"The centralisation of broadcast is very important to us in terms of our revenues," Horne said. "So we have to work very closely with [Uefa] to make sure we sell our TV deal appropriately over the next four years."

Working with Angel Villar Llona could be difficult for the FA.

The Spanish FA president, who is also a vice president of both Fifa and Uefa, complained about attacks on Fifa in the British parliament and media.

Fifa's senior vice president, the Argentine, Julio Grondona, told the English to "leave the Fifa family alone" after "telling lies".

All a bit distressing to Horne.

"I was surprised at how far Grondona and Villar Llona went in terms of just rambling about politicians and journalists telling lies," Horne said. "That seemed a bit over the top."