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Bin Hammam hopeful of FA backing

Mohamed Bin Hammam is hoping to usurp Sepp Blatter as FIFA president © Getty Images

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FIFA presidential challenger Mohamed Bin Hammam claims he is "well placed" in the contest against Sepp Blatter and has denied he is attempting to buy votes by increasing financial help for national associations.

Bin Hammam, who met the FA in London on Thursday on his campaign trail ahead of the election on June 1, said he has been heartened by pledges of support. The FA will decide on May 19 who to back, but it is no secret that many senior figures favour Bin Hammam.

Bin Hammam said: "I have had a lot of support since declaring my manifesto and I think I am well placed. I said when I announce my candidacy that my chances were 50-50 and, although I would not change that figure, I am feeling confident."

The 61-year-old Qatari has promised to double the financial support handed out to each of FIFA's 208 member associations to 500,000 US dollars annually.

Blatter, 75, has since responded by pledging to provide more than USD 1 billion for development projects over the next four years - that compares with USD 1.6 billion in the 13 years since he was first elected in 1998.

Bin Hammam insists, however, his promises are not mere financial incentives.

He added: "People want to hear what the candidate is going to help them with. The need for the funds is essential for national associations - they need to have development projects, national teams, youth teams, facilities and it all costs money. This is not an improper act - people should know what I'm planning."

Bin Hammam said he would not try to cash in on bad feeling in the FA towards FIFA following England's disastrous bid for the 2018 World Cup.

He added: "I will not try to misuse this - I am more interested in explaining myself and my manifesto. I have a good relationship with the FA and the Premier League and I hope every member association will give me the opportunity to present my vision for the future."

Bin Hammam also called for the presidential race not to descend into personal attacks.

He added: "I hope it will remain a fair-play one. I'm only interested in doing what I can to promote myself, to speak about my business, my manifesto."

Bin Hammam's next stop is Asuncion in Paraguay to try to shore up South American support at the CONMEBOL congress next week.

The FA confirmed following the meeting with Bin Hammam that it will make a decision at a board meeting next month.

A statement on Thursday read: "The FA met with the president of the Asian Football Confederation, Mohamed Bin Hammam, at Wembley today. The FA was represented by its chairman David Bernstein, general secretary Alex Horne and head of international relations Jane Bateman.

"The meeting covered a range of topics and Mr Bin Hammam took the opportunity to update the FA on his candidacy for FIFA president. This matter will be considered by the FA Board at its meeting on May 19."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.