The president of the Confederation of African Football (Caf) will challenge Sepp Blatter for the top job in world football at the Fifa congress in Seoul on 29 May.

And following the opening of Blatter's African campaign in Abidjan on Wednesday, Hayatou decided the time was right to try and broaden his appeal.

But despite claiming to have the support of 90% of Fifa delegates on his own continent, Hayatou knows he must appeal beyond Africa to win the presidency.

"Excuse my English," he said at one point during the interview with BBC News 24.

"It is the first time in my work I have tried to speak in English, and it is not good."

Serenity

Hayatou reiterated his commitment to complete transparency in all the administrative workings of Fifa but refused to pin the blame for the current crisis directly on Blatter.

"In the last six or seven months there have been many rumours about the administration of Fifa," said Hayatou.

"If what I hear is correct it is not good for Fifa. After the result of the audit commission investigation, I will tell you exactly what I think."

But Hayatou admitted that the speculation surrounding Blatter and Fifa's administration had damaged football's governing body.

"Everywhere you go someone asks you 'what is happening with Fifa?' We need quiet, we need serenity."