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Johannesburg - South Africa's 2010 World Cup Local Organising Committee chief executive Danny Jordaan on Wednesday described the coming FIFA presidency elections as "interesting" with Qatar’s, Mohammed Bin Hammam challenging incumbent Sepp Blatter in the elections taking place in Zurich on June 1.
The Switzerland-born Blatter, who turned 75 earlier this month, is looking for a fourth-term in the seat that he has held since 1998 and told the UEFA Congress in Paris on Tuesday that this would be his last term in the office. Bin Hammam has made promises of doubling the monthly grant of member associations to $500 000, while also endorsing an anti-corruption stance and the use of technology in matches.
He also chairs the FIFA Goal Bureau project that provides financial support to member associations across the world.
"It's going to be interesting to see what happens, but I think the fact that he (Bin Hammam) has taken the decision to stand against Blatter, then it means he must have considered that he had a reasonable chance," said Jordaan.
"When Bin Hammam was asked about his chances, he said it was 50-50, so if that is what he is saying, then I have no reason not to believe him."
Some reports said that Blatter was initially not expecting any challengers before Bin Hammam put through his candidacy, with the Swiss expected to step down in 2015 for current UEFA president Michel Platini to take over.
"(Blatter) is now saying that this will be his last term. I always believe that when people - especially at international level - want to step down as the president, then you must deal with the transitional challenges of the association," Jordaan said.
"Now all along, he's not dealt with any transitions, he was always convinced that he should stand for another term, and now there is a challenger, so it will wait and see.
"Blatter may be able to win and manage that transition in his last term, or if he's not successful, then there will be complete reshaping of FIFA because there are these possibilities in such elections."
Jordaan was speaking at the South African Football Association (SAFA) headquarters where the association was launching their 20th year anniversary.
The 58-year-old played an integral role in Bafana Bafana's re-admission to international football in 1991, and will work alongside Brazil's Organising Committee for the 2014 World Cup.
