Sepp Blatter dragging Fifa image down says Mohamed Bin Hammam

FIFA presidential challenger Mohamed Bin Hammam has launched a personal jibe at his rival Sepp Blatter, claiming the organisation is only unpopular because of him.

Bin Hammam was once a loyal supporter of Blatter and helped him gain power in 1998 but now is standing against him in the election on June 1.

In the most recent blog entry on his personal website, Bin Hammam said his visit to the UEFA Congress in Paris last week had convinced him there is a mood to see a change at the top of FIFA.

The 61-year-old Qatari said: "The trip to Paris has given me a growing sense that more and more people within the game are eager to see change in FIFA.

"Unfortunately, from what I can see, people have been judging the entire organisation by the unpopularity of its president.

"Hopefully we will be able to change that and turn FIFA into an organisation we can all be proud of once again."

Both Bin Hammam and Blatter are due to visit England on the campaign trail next month to meet the FA.

Some senior FA figures are keen to support Bin Hammam but new FA chairman David Bernstein is insistent no decision has been made by the board.

He has asked both candidates to submit their election manifestos, which will be made public ahead of a board meeting to decide who the FA should back.