Bin Hammam: Time for Blatter to go
Source: Agencies |
January 26, 2011, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
SEPP Blatter has been at FIFA for too long and needs to be replaced as president of the governing body, Asian Football Confederation President Mohamed bin Hammam has said.
Less than two months after helping Qatar land the 2022 World Cup, Bin Hammam said the FIFA president's longevity in office has contributed to the perception that the organization is corrupt.
"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 on Monday. "Thirty-five years in one organization is quite long time. No matter how clean you are, honest or how correct you are, still people will attack you. You are going to be defenseless. That is why I believe change is the best thing for the organization."
The 74-year-old Blatter, who joined FIFA in 1975 as technical director, became secretary general in 1981 and president in 1998, is up for re-election for a fourth four-year term as FIFA president in June.
Although Bin Hammam has said that he wants to someday replace Blatter, he declined to say whether he would challenge the Swiss incumbent this year. "I did not make up my mind yet," Bin Hammam said. "I would rather wait and see."
But the 61-year-old Bin Hammam is hoping that someone will run against Blatter. "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," Bin Hammam said. "Competition is good for the organization, whether president or any other posts. Competition is the best way to make the organization vibrant and alive."
As for suggestions that Qatar might host the 2022 World Cup in January, to avoid the searing summer heat, Bin Hammam said it was "premature" for FIFA to be even talking about it.
"We in FIFA should stop acting on behalf of people who are going to be in power in the future," he said. "There will be a different executive committee in FIFA which will be in power that day. Let them decide what is best for 2022," he said. "Why are we rushing? Why are you in hurry to decide something for 2022?"
Less than two months after helping Qatar land the 2022 World Cup, Bin Hammam said the FIFA president's longevity in office has contributed to the perception that the organization is corrupt.
"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 on Monday. "Thirty-five years in one organization is quite long time. No matter how clean you are, honest or how correct you are, still people will attack you. You are going to be defenseless. That is why I believe change is the best thing for the organization."
The 74-year-old Blatter, who joined FIFA in 1975 as technical director, became secretary general in 1981 and president in 1998, is up for re-election for a fourth four-year term as FIFA president in June.
Although Bin Hammam has said that he wants to someday replace Blatter, he declined to say whether he would challenge the Swiss incumbent this year. "I did not make up my mind yet," Bin Hammam said. "I would rather wait and see."
But the 61-year-old Bin Hammam is hoping that someone will run against Blatter. "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," Bin Hammam said. "Competition is good for the organization, whether president or any other posts. Competition is the best way to make the organization vibrant and alive."
As for suggestions that Qatar might host the 2022 World Cup in January, to avoid the searing summer heat, Bin Hammam said it was "premature" for FIFA to be even talking about it.
"We in FIFA should stop acting on behalf of people who are going to be in power in the future," he said. "There will be a different executive committee in FIFA which will be in power that day. Let them decide what is best for 2022," he said. "Why are we rushing? Why are you in hurry to decide something for 2022?"
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