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Defiant Blatter predicts World Cup shocks

Blatter: "I still love football"

ZURICH, Switzerland (CNN) -- FIFA boss Sepp Blatter has predicted an exciting and trouble-free World Cup -- and has vowed to win his own battle to be there.

The 66-year-old president of football's world governing body is confident of beating African hopeful Issa Hayatou and winning a second term on May 29.

Speaking to CNN, Swiss Blatter also angrily hit back at bribery allegations concerning his 1998 election campaign and the state of FIFA finances.

Blatter predicts plenty of surprises at the World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea because the game's powerhouses will not be used to southeast Asian conditions.

"All the world champions so far are now in away games. In east Asia, you will have another climate, other grass, other flowers, other spectators."

Blatter says he is happy with security arrangements, to counter any threat from terrorists -- and hooligans.

The host nations had a good record of ensuring internal security, he said, adding: "Korea still have 35,000 to 45,000 American troops based there so I'm sure both the governments will do everything to avoid any problems.

"We have to cross fingers that the enemies of society are not necessarily the enemies of football, because football is the game of the people."

During his four years in charge, Blatter has backed a co-coordinated worldwide calendar and moved to bring spiralling transfer fees under control. He has also promoted former international stars to work as ambassadors for the game, including Pele, Franz Beckenbauer, Johan Cruyff, Michel Platini, Roger Milla and Bobby Charlton.

But he faced controversy when Germany pipped South Africa to host the 2006 tournament. Then last year ISL, the company FIFA was using to market this year's World Cup, collapsed.

Blatter has also had to act to shore up insurance for the World Cup after Axa raised its premium following September 11. And this year FIFA has had to safeguard its television revenue as KirchMedia, which holds the rights to broadcast matches, struggles to survive.

The president says FIFA has TV contracts worth 1.3 billion Swiss francs ($800 million) for this World Cup and 1.5 francs ($900 million) for the 2006 finals.

But not everyone is convinced the game is in good hands and now Hayatou, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), wants Blatter's job.

Hayatou, from Cameroon, is hoping for the support of Lennart Johansson, chief of UEFA, European football's governing body. Johansson, beaten by Blatter for the FIFA presidency in 1998, has criticised what he says are plans to reduce the influence of European nations in the world game.

'Bad losers'

CAF has also turned up the heat, with vice-president Farah Addo saying that cash was offered for votes in the 1998 election, although making it clear that Blatter himself was not involved.

Blatter, who has been with FIFA for 27 years, says the organisation has bounced back from the setbacks. "We have recuperated well and I think we are in good shape because football is still a very attractive product.

"We have no financial problems. We would be in a better state of finances if we hadn't lost ISL and if we hadn't been affected by September 11, as the whole economy in the world has been affected.

"But we are in a position in which we can ensure from 2003 to 2006 the same contribution to the national associations and the confederations.

"I have been asked by more than 100 associations to stand again. I also feel physically fit enough. I am in good shape and I still love football."

Blatter accuses "bad losers" of being behind the bribery allegations, adding: "The whole family of football has been damaged and this is a pity, and people going around with such defamatory allegations and information should think about that."

The president also expects Johansson's support on May 29 in Seoul. "He disclosed at the end of last year that he will support my

candidature. He has written twice to me saying: 'You can sleep, there is no problem with your candidature.'

"He has not warned me that he is going to change his mind. He can do it, but what I would have expected from him in a fair contest is for him to take the phone and say: 'Sepp, I have changed my mind ...I would prefer to have another candidate.' Then I would understand it."