Bin Hammam bid could split Fifa, says Beckenbauer

World governing body Fifa could face a split after Mohamed Bin Hammam announced his presidential bid against incumbent Sepp Blatter, Franz Beckenbauer said yesterday.

Bin Hammam, the Asian Football Federation president, confirmed in Kuala Lumpur his intention to run against Fifa president Blatter, stating it was time for change and revealing a manifesto centred on transparency.

The 61-year-old Qatari and the 75-year-old Swiss Blatter have endured a strained relationship of late having once been strong friends.

"I think this is a dangerous situation because it could split Fifa into two camps," Beckenbauer, who is stepping down as a Fifa Executive Committee member in the coming days, said.