Bayern chief Hoeness says Blatter weakened

Posted Thursday, July 19, 2012 by YAHOO Sport

FIFA president Sepp Blatter's position at the head of world football's governing body has been further weakened by fresh corruption allegations, Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness said on Wednesday.

"The air is getting thinner and thinner for Mr Blatter," Hoeness told reporters in Unterschleissheim in southern Germany.

"I can't imagine that he could remain in office, let alone stand for president again."

Hoeness claimed that Blatter looked defeated during a press briefing at FIFA's Zurich headquarters on Tuesday.

"At last, people are daring to attack him -- even international journalists," Hoeness added.

Blatter declared on Tuesday that he had no reason to resign, despite revelations that his predecessor, Joao Havelange, received huge kickbacks during his time in charge of the organisation.

A Swiss court revealed that Havelange, FIFA president for a 24-year spell up to Blatter's election in 1998, pocketed at least 1.5 million Swiss francs (£986,000, 820,000 euros) from FIFA's discredited Swiss-based marketing partner ISL.

Germany is particularly concerned by the case, as it raised allegations that the hosting rights for the 2006 World Cup, which took place in the country, were bought.