Africa split on Hayatou

Hayatou says he is sure of widespread backing

A campaign is getting underway in Africa to rally support for Sepp Blatter against his challenger for the Fifa presidency, Issa Hayatou of Cameroon.

Caf president Hayatou made the announcement that he would run against Blatter on Saturday in Cairo.

He has the backing of a powerful alliance, including Uefa President Lennart Johansson and two other Fifa vice-presidents, Antonio Matarrese of Italy and Korea's Chung Mong-joon.

Caf, under Hayatou, has done nothing for any country in Africa

LFA boss Edwin Snowe

Hayatou says he is confident of getting widespread support from across the world.

His campaign is based on restoring the reputation of Fifa after a number of embarrassing financial scandals.

But if Hayatou thinks he can rely on total support from Africa's 51 members in May's election, he is mistaken.

Liberia's FA boss is heading a campaign called "Friends of Blatter in Africa" to unite support against Hayatou.

Reprisals

Edwin Snowe says Sepp Blatter has done more for African football than Issa Hayatou has ever done.

"Caf, under Hayatou, has done nothing for any country in Africa, and that's something that most of my colleagues in Africa agree.

Edwin Snowe is backing Blatter

"Because of Sepp Blatter, Fifa has given $10m to African football, but Caf has done nothing.

"Caf has lots of money, but it doesn't help us. How is it that they are building a brand new HQ in Cairo?"

Snowe believes that while many African associations agree with him, they are afraid to come out against Hayatou for fear of reprisals.

"If he wins, it could mean trouble for them. If he loses, he remains the president of Caf, so there could be trouble then too."

Snowe is this week heading off to Gambia and Sierra Leone to lobby on Blatter's behalf.

Sepp Blatter himself is due in Ivory Coast at the weekend as he strives to gain backing in Africa for what looks likely to be a close vote.