Blatter rivals slam FIFA leadership

VIENNA - Sepp Blatter on Tuesday listened as his rivals for the FIFA presidency accused his leadership of being authoritarian, not spending enough of its wealth and tarnishing the world body's image.

Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, a FIFA vice president from Jordan, former Portugal star Luis Figo and Dutch federation chief Michel van Praag made their first face-to-face statements to the 79-year-old Blatter in a special debate at the UEFA congress.

Blatter refused to take part, but listened in the front row of the congress. Despite the opposition in Europe, Blatter is still favourite to win reelection on May 29.

"We need a change of culture and a departure from FIFA's authoritarian approach to strategy," said the 39-year-old prince.

"We are in a crucial time for football," he told the congress. "Both inside and outside the football family, people have expressed concern about the way football is run."

Figo said he would not get involved in a personal campaign against Blatter.

But he said: "FIFA should not be dependent on a president. That is not healthy in any organisation or company.

"You all need to be more present in FIFA life," Figo said to the leaders of the 54 European federations at the meeting.

Figo said FIFA's minimum annual payment to the 209 member federations should be increased from $300,000 to three million dollars.

Bribery and nepotism

FIFA reported revenue of more than five billion dollars over the past four years. But it has been drawn into a storm of controversy over the award of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.

"The beautiful heritage of international football has been tarnished by ever continuing accusations of corruption, bribery, nepotism and waste of money," said van Praag.

"The current state of disarray asks for a change of leadership," added the Dutchman, who said he would only serve one four-year term as a transitional leader.

"I simply cannot accept that we leave FIFA in its current shape for the next generation," said van Praag.

Blatter spoke to the UEFA congress only at the start of the meeting in the traditional speech as FIFA president. He made an appeal for unity without mentioning the looming election.

He called on the presidents of the European, Asian, North American and South American confederations, who were at the meeting, to show the "unity and this solidarity which exists as the foundations of football".

"Together with Europe, we need to build this unity on the inside and on the outside of your respective organisations," Blatter said.

UEFA boss Michel Platini, who has pointedly called for Blatter not to seek a new term, also sought to win over the confederation bosses.

Without naming anyone, Platini said: "Certain people are perhaps trying to turn us against each other, seeking to divide and rule.

"They are trying to isolate the supposedly arrogant and selfish Europeans.

"Do not believe everything that you hear," said Platini.

Platini also made a dig at Blatter's expense in a speech to the Congress.

"I regard myself as a simple team-mate -- at most your captain. But not the captain of a ship that is being battered by a storm, clinging to the helm for dear life," he said.

In 2011, Blatter said in a key speech that FIFA was in "troubled waters" and as its "captain" it is his duty to steer the ship back on course.

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AFP