• European Club Association head hints at revolt without reforms • 'Clubs are unhappy and don't need the governing bodies'

This article is more than 9 years old

This article is more than 9 years old

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

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

The Bayern Munich chairman added: "Mubarak never imagined a year ago that he would be hounded from office."

Blatter has been under pressure to repair Fifa's image, which has been tarnished by allegations of bribery, vote-rigging and unethical favours among members.

"An outside revolution causes big problems and confusion," Rummenigge said. "The internal revolution can only be initiated by Blatter. I would do that if I was in his place. If I can't prevent something, then I'd rather carry it out myself."

Rummenigge threatened a split unless changes are introduced.

"The clubs are unhappy. 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."

Earlier this month Rummenigge questioned whether Blatter – who has been Fifa president since 1998 – was fit to run world football. He also demanded that clubs be given more say in its affairs.

Blatter promised to clean up his "football family" after he was re-elected unopposed for a fourth four-year term in June, although he warned it would take time.

Fifa's ethics panel has taken action against several members but the panel examines only cases referred by Fifa and does not have power to launch its own investigations.