Football: Blatter is dragging FIFA down, says Bin Hammam

PARIS : FIFA presidential candidate Mohamed Bin Hammam took aim at present incumbent Sepp Blatter on Monday by claiming the 75-year-old Swiss has sullied the organisation's reputation.

Bin Hamman, 61, will stand against Blatter, who is seeking a fourth successive term, in the FIFA presidential election on June 1.

Writing on his personal blog, Bin Hammam said last week's visit to Paris for the UEFA Congress had made him realise that there is widespread desire for changes to the way world football's governing body is run.

"The trip to Paris has given me a growing sense that more and more people within the game are eager to see change in FIFA," wrote the 61-year-old Qatari.

"Unfortunately, from what I can see, people have been judging the entire organisation by the unpopularity of its president.

"Hopefully we will be able to change that and turn FIFA into an organisation we can all be proud of once again."

- AFP /ls

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