Mohamed Bin Hammam, the president of the Asian Football Confederation, is to announce tomorrow whether he will challenge Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency The Qatari has stunned the world with his possible intention to unseat Blatter. Bin Hammam could put an end to the 13-year reign of the Swiss Blatter who has been serving FIFA for the past three decades, reports Inas Mazhar. The elections are to be held at the FIFA Congress at the end of May,but the deadline to apply for the post is 31 March. If Bin Hammam beats Blatter his country will not only be the only Arab country to have won the honour to host a World Cup, but he himself will become the first Arab to be elected FIFA president Bin Hammam has been in contact with his football friends all over the world campaigning for their support. He has been able to get FIFA members on his side. He is a well known figure in FIFA having been one of its 24-man executive committee for the past 15 years. Bin Hammam is the president of the Asian Football Confederation, one of the six FIFA confederations, and the chairman of the FIFA Goal Bureau, whose grants provide financial support for member associations across the world. He was also influential in bringing the 2022 World Cup to his native Qatar.Earlier this week, Bin Hammam told the English newspaper The Guardian his reasons for the challenge: "People have to try change. Change is good. "Within 10 days I will formally declare whether I will stand or not." The 61-year-old Bin Hammam has been campaigning to see where he stands, especially in Europe. "I am happy with [perceptions in] most confederations but I don't know about Europe and how they will deal with my candidacy," he said. "Europe is the core of football. I would like now to make a real assessment in Europe. I have not declared myself as a candidate; maybe[upon doing so] it will be easier to see the response then. I will go to the Paris Congress of Uefa [on 20 March] and I will already have declared my candidacy or otherwise," Bin Hammam told The Guardian. According to the newspaper, UEFA president Michel Platini has ensured a greater policy of engagement with the clubs, football's principal income drivers, within his own organisation's decision-making processes. Bin Hammam considers this an essential task for the world governing body to undertake, in contrast to Blatter who has repeatedly rejected demands for similar reforms at FIFA. As well as a policy of engagement, Bin Hammam advocates the introduction of greater openness in the decision-making processes of FIFA. Bin Hammam added that he would call for more transparency in FIFA, to widen the decision-making base and bodies within FIFA, engage stakeholders more and give them a real platform to express their wishes. He also believed that FIFA should respect the clubs, "and it is for the clubs also to respect the member associations." Apart from Europe, Bin Hammam has some confidence from the world's other confederations especially Asia being its president and based on his good connections with South America, North America, Africa and Oceania. Though the current FIFA vice president has said that he would take his final decision tomorrow, he might delay that until after he attends the UEFA Congress to be held in Paris next Sunday, 20 March. A run at Blatter would in all probability end whatever friendship the two had. In an interview with Al-Ahram Weekly last year, Blatter was asked about reports concerning his friendship with the Qatari. Then,the 75-year old Swiss did not deny rumours of a falling out. He confirmed that they had once been very good friends, but not anymore. He didn't say why nor did he know what happened. He even asked this reporter to ask Bin Hammam about what had strained the relationship. Blatter said he didn't care who runs against him, adding he will continue to offer his services to FIFA member associations and that "they are the ones who will decide if they still want me." However, the FIFA president said then that they were still speaking football. During that period, Bin Hammam had announced his intention to run for presidency, but not as seriously as these days. He might have been keeping a low profile to give his country the chance to win the 2022 World Cup bid which they did. By Inas Mazhar
