Blatter may face challenge from Mohamed Bin Hammam after he expresses annoyance

By Andrew Warshaw in Doha

January 5 – The head of Asian football has fuelled speculation that he may stand against Sepp Blatter when the FIFA Presidency comes up for renewal next summer.

Mohamed Bin Hammam, who helped deliver a stunning victory for his native Qatar in the contest to host the 2022 World Cup, has previously stated that he would not take on Blatter who is running for an unprecedented fourth term at FIFA elections on June 1.

But Bin Hammam’s latest comments suggest a possible change of heart after he criticised Blatter’s decision to introduce an anti-corruption committee without first running the idea past FIFA Executive Committee members.

Despite their landslide 2022 victory, Qatar remains the subject of persistent rumours of foul play in the way the secured victory and Bin Hammam, who has always professed his country’s transparency, is clearly angered at Blatter’s latest move.

“Some of FIFA’s acts I do not approve of or agree,” said Bin Hammam.

Blatter is putting his anti-corruption unit idea to FIFA’s full Congress at the same time as the FIFA Presidential election but bin Hammam does not think that’s good enough.

“I am a member of the FIFA Executive Committee and we never discussed this idea inside the Executive Committee – I read about it in the media,” he said.

“I don’t appreciate that we go to a meeting of FIFA and we find already that a committee has been formed, that members have been appointed and the code, or whatever has been decided.

“If we are serious about it, as a vision, or a point of view, it has to be brought in for Executive Committee to discuss it and deliberate on it, and come with a conclusion.

“So I believe, if we are serious, there has to be a serious discussion within the Executive Committee first.”

When asked if that meant he would stand against Blatter, he simply shrugged but it is clear that Bin Hammam, who has been on the FIFA Executive Committee since 1996 and was openly critical of the double 2018 and 2022 World Cup ballot, believes changes should be made.

“I think FIFA needs a lot of improvement,” he told Reuters.

“I think there is a scope of work I can do, there is something I can present and do for international football.”

The 61-year-old Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president will be the centre of attention here tomorrow when his confederation holds its annual congress on the eve of the Asian Cup, Qatar’s first test since the December 2 World Cup vote of its ability to stage a high-profile international tournament.

Whether or not he makes any clear statement of intent to Asian delegates remains to be seen.

Blatter, after all, voted for Qatar for 2022.

But it is clear Bin Hammam wants change at the highest level of the game.

“Perhaps there are other people who share the same opinion and they have the same views as me,” he said.

“I have the support of people who have the vision to develop the game and improve the
situation within FIFA.

“If I was given this chance, I would not hesitate to accept it.”

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