ACTUALITE |
15.05.2002
Hayatou Seeks Two Terms for FIFA Presidency
African football Chief Issa Hayatou, bidding to replace Sepp Blatter as FIFA boss, proposed Monday that the post be limited to two terms to prevent abuse of power in the sport`s world governing body.
"The image of FIFA is becoming very negative due to the lack of leadership and illegal practices committed by its president," Hayatou told a news conference as he visited ahead of the FIFA president election in Seoul on May 29.
Blatter, whose immediate predecessor and former boss Joao Havelange reigned as FIFA chief for 24 years until 1998, has been accused of deception, mismanagement, illegal payments and cronyism by five of his vice presidents.
The growing battle is threatening to spill over at the World Cup finals to be co-hosted by Japan and South Korea from May 31 to June 30.
Hayatou, the only candidate against Blatter, said he wanted to limit the FIFA presidency to two four-year terms in order to remove ills stemming from a long reign in the post.
"The future of football is mortgaged by choices of one man, who cynically refuses to accept his responsibilities," he said. "That is why I am engaged in defending the interest of all national associations and our common wealth, football."
Five FIFA vice-presidents, led by European confederation UEFA president Lennart Johansson, began legal action against Blatter Friday on alleged corruption charges strongly denied by the 66-year-old Swiss.
Chung Mong-Joon, the South Korean FIFA vice president who supports Hayatou, used the same news conference to call on FIFA members from Asia to unite against Blatter.
"If Asia supports Mr. Blatter to be re-elected as FIFA president, Asia will allow him to think that he can continue to divide and rule us," Chung said. "We should demonstrate that our votes cannot be bought. It must be earned with honesty and true leadership."
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Hits: 1 | Source:Allafrica | |
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