Sepp Blatter’s 16-year reign as Fifa president could come to an end via an unlikely challenger.

Uefa president Michel Platnini has echoed the thoughts of Dutch FA president Michael van Praag and Football Association chairman Greg Dyke by saying that Fifa needs “a breath of fresh air.”

It comes after Fifa delegates blocked the move to bring in term limits and age limits of officials in a vote at Fifa’s Congress in Sao Paulo on Wednesday.

The ruling effectively gives Blatter the green light to stand for re-election next year.

But Platini feels that the 78-year-old has been in power long enough and should step down at the end of his term in 2015.

“I am supporting him no longer, it’s finished. He knows it, I told him. I think Fifa needs a new breath of fresh air,” said Platini.

“In 2011 he asked for our support [Uefa’s] and told us that that would be his last term.”

The decision out in Brazil paves the way for Blatter to stay in office next year — and for many years beyond.

He made it clear to Fifa’s 209 member nations that he intends to stand again, though no-one could yet be an official candidate for the presidency.

Blatter told delegates: “The candidature period is not yet open, so no-one can be a candidate. I know that my mandate will finish next year on June 29 in Zurich — but my mission is not finished.

“And I tell you, together we will build the new Fifa. We have the foundations today. Congress will decide who will take this great institution forward.

“It’s a tough decision but I can tell you I am ready to accompany you for the game, for the world — but it is your decision.”

Although Platini is yet to decide whether to run against Blatter next year, he may prove to be the strongest candidate to oppose Blatter.

Platini added: “It is an option. But it is not because Blatter is running that Michel Platini will not run.

Blatter has had to fight back against Uefa this week, claiming attacks from Dyke and other European officials were the “most disrespectful” thing he has ever experienced.

Dyke had told Blatter at a meeting of Uefa countries on Tuesday that his claim that racism was behind World Cup corruption allegations in the British media was “offensive and totally unacceptable.”

Van Praag also told Blatter in blunt terms that he should step down from Fifa next year and not stand for a fifth term.

Blatter told a news conference after the Fifa Congress in Sao Paulo: “I have had to accept a number of blows but what I saw and heard at the Uefa meeting was the most disrespectful thing I have experienced in my entire life, on the football pitch and in my home.”