Rummenigge warns FIFA of 'revolution from outside'

European Club Association chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has called on FIFA President Sepp Blatter to introduce reforms in football's governing body or risk the fate of toppled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

Rummenigge told Friday's edition of Swiss business magazine Bilanz that Blatter would be smart to introduce reforms "before his successor does it, or before a revolution comes from outside."

He added: "An outside revolution causes big problems and confusion. Mubarak never imagined a year ago that he would be hounded from office."

Rummenigge, also the Bayern Munich chairman, threatened a split unless changes are introduced.

"FIFA and UEFA need the clubs for a World Cup or European Championship. But the clubs don't need them. Theoretically, we could play Bundesliga and Champions League - even without the associations," he said.

Rummenigge said the 75-year-old Blatter "doesn't have a good image" but "the FIFA president must take responsibility for what happens in his own shop. It's up to him that everything is correct, reputable and clean."