Hammam: Challenge forced Blatter to reassess views
Reuters - Monday 25 April 2011, 14:17
DOHA - Asia football chief Mohamed Bin
Hammam reckons FIFA boss Sepp Blatter has been forced to come up
with fresh ideas after the Qatari decided to challenge the
incumbent in the June 1 presidential election.
"It seems my challenge has made Blatter reassess his view of
football's future. Competition is healthy and it is vital to the
continual development and progress of the sport that we all hold
so close to our hearts," Hammam wrote on his blog
on Monday.
"Blatter is coming out with fresh suggestions about how to
run the game's governing body. These ideas would not have seen
the light of day had there not been a challenge to his
leadership."
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president, Blatter's
only rival in the vote, was reacting to a recent letter from the
Swiss to all FIFA member nations urging them to re-elect him
after 13 years in charge.
"His manifesto is interesting and I applaud him for rising
to the task of thinking about the future and seeking a way to
enhance the manner in which FIFA can help the National
Associations," the 61-year-old Bin Hammam added.
"However, it directly contradicts his earlier statements,
made after I launched my own bid for the FIFA presidency; where
he once claimed FIFA's budgets were already set, he is now
promising additional funding for member associations should he
retain his position."
The June vote in Zurich is expected to be close with Blatter
now 75.
"He has been motivated to come forward with some new
proposals and he now knows he cannot take his position for
granted," Hammam said.
"We can be sure that both candidates will present fresh
suggestions following their engagements with member nations
along the campaign trail. Change is essential and a fresh
approach is required for the future."