The Qatari head of the Asian Football Confederation has dropped heavy hints over the past few weeks that he is preparing to perform a u-turn on his pledge late last year that he would not challenge Blatter. The 74-year-old FIFA chief is up for re-election for a fourth four-year term at the helm in June, and no other candidates have entered the running so far.
However, a bid from Bin Hammam looks increasingly likely and he told the Associated Press that Blatter, who joined FIFA in 1975 as technical director, should not be handed another term.
“Everybody is going to accuse us today as corrupted people because maybe people see Mr Blatter has stayed a long time in FIFA,” Bin Hammam said. “Thirty-five years in one organisation is quite a long time. No matter how clean you are, honest or how correct you are, still people will attack you. You are going to be defenceless. That is why I believe change is the best thing for the organisation.”
Two members of the 24-man FIFA executive committee were suspended before the December 2 bid to decide the hosts of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups because of alleged violations of the organisation’s ethics code. Russia was awarded the 2018 tournament and Qatar secured the 2022 hosting rights.
On his own potential presidential aspirations, Bin Hammam said: “I would rather wait and see. I’m actually seeking to see competition within FIFA for the post. I would prefer to see two candidates proposing themselves, or maybe more than two proposing themselves to the congress of FIFA. Competition is good for the organisation, whether president or any other posts. Competition is the best way to make the organisation vibrant and alive.”
