FIFA president Sepp Blatter insisted Tuesday that the future of world football's governing body was dependant on his reelection to a fourth term in office. Blatter, who has served as FIFA president since 1998, will be challenged by Qatari Mohammed Bin Hammam, 61, currently president of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), during elections here on June 1.
And the 75-year-old Swiss believes that his rival Bin Hammam wants "total change" which could lead to the "dismantling" and "collapse" of FIFA. "I'm very confident," Blatter told AFP of his bid to win another four-year term. "FIFA isn't ready for total change, where the running of operations would go to the six confederations," he said.
"If we dismantle the pyramid, it will fall down. Some say 'I'm going to vote like that' but I'm sure that the national federations will maintain what is established and serious. "In 2002, when they wanted to kick me, they said 'you don't have money, you're badly managed'. Subsequently it was proved otherwise." Blatter said that his passion for football continues to drive him and his work is not yet finished. "I have to finish my work, my project is based on education through football. To develop the game, transform lives, to build a better future."