Bin Hammam: FIFA needs new blood
Reuters - Sunday 01 May 2011, 18:49
ASUNCION - FIFA must be kept on its toes
and needs new blood, Asian football chief Mohamed Bin Hammam said
on Sunday as he took his campaign for the presidency of football's
governing body to South America.
Challenger Bin Hammam and incumbent Sepp Blatter, who is
running for a fourth term as FIFA president, were guests at the
congress of the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL)
on Sunday where both sat at the top table.
Both men were also present at an asado - South American
barbecue - at the ranch of CONMEBOL president Nicolas Leoz on
Saturday.
"Let there be a competition, let there be a decision by the
(FIFA) congress. Things are on the table, (let's) keep things
dynamic and keep the congress always deciding where they are
going to go," Bin Hammam told Reuters.
"I think a new vision, a new opening, new blood, the
competition in itself is what we are requiring, not change,"
added the 61-year-old head of the Asian Football Confederation
who faces Blatter in the FIFA election in Zurich on June 1.
CONMEBOL, which has staunchly supported Blatter since he
took office in 1998, confirmed on Friday that it would back him
again on June 1.
Sunday's congress began with a speech by Blatter before
82-year-old Leoz was re-elected for a sixth term as CONMEBOL
president, 25 years to the day after the Paraguayan first took
over as head of South American soccer's governing body.
"I would like to thank you for the faith you have expressed
in FIFA," said Blatter in his address
"I am very happy and honoured with your decision and I
accept it gladly... to continue playing together on the same
pitch."
CONMEBOL holds 10 of the 208 votes at the FIFA congress.
Bin Hammam addressed the meeting later and quoted from a
letter sent to him many years ago by former FIFA president Joao
Havelange in which the Brazilian called him a friend and
brother.
"In the course of my 24 years' presidency of FIFA I have
made many friends but none can compare with your support... you
have not only been friend but a brother," Bin Hammam quoted
Havelange as having written.
Bin Hammam added: "If I was able to be friend and brother of
Havelange, I can be same with you."
However, applause from the floor was only lukewarm.
Asked by Reuters about the reception, Bin Hammam said:
"You'll have to ask them why. I have submitted my request to be
a friend, there's nothing wrong with that."
Blatter believes he has about 50 percent support from Africa
and Asia and a majority in the rest of the world.
Bin Hammam says the issue is not settled.
"I have to (campaign), frankly speaking, and I've said this
before, when we first decided to go ahead, we knew where we are
strong and where we are weak, and so far I believe none of the
decisions has been taken left or right," he said.
"I will not say where my strength is and where my weaknesses
are going to be from but I believe that for the election I have
time (to garner more support)."