FIFA revolution would be disruptive says Blatter

Sepp Blatter yesterday insisted FIFA need “evolution not revolution” as he set out his manifesto for re-election as football’s most powerful man.

Blatter, FIFA president since 1998, is standing against his former ally Mohamed Bin Hammam, the head of Asian football, in the election on June 1.

In a letter to all 208 FIFA member associations, Blatter spelled out his achievements and aims – and in contrast to Bin Hammam is preaching the need for stability and continuity.

Bin Hammam’s manifesto contains more dramatic proposals for change – including creating 17 more executive committee positions on a new 41-strong ‘FIFA board’.

Blatter, 75, said in his letter: “In these challenging times FIFA needs first of all stability, continuity and reliability. We do not need revolution within FIFA but the continuous evolution and improvement of our game and our organisation.”

Bin Hammam, a 61-year-old Qatari, has promised to double the financial support handed out to each of FIFA’s 208 member associations to $500,000 and Blatter has responded by pledging to provide more than one billion dollars for development projects over the next four years.

He also aims to increase payments to national associations “in the event of a successful 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil”.

Blatter’s manifesto promises to enhance the quality and attractiveness of the game through the new task force set up under Franz Beckenbauer to look at the laws of football, refereeing and technical aspects.

The election will take place at the FIFA Congress in Zurich on June 1.