FIFA president Sepp Blatter says he is "unperturbed" by the threat of legal action from 11 members of the 24-man executive committee of world soccer's governing body for alleged misuse of funds.

　　In a statement on Thursday, Blatter says: "I find the threat of legal action disappointing, but it does not come as a surprise to me.

　　"This merely represents the logical consequence of months of relentless and systematic attacks on the FIFA president by my opponents in an attempt to destroy my reputation and my personal integrity.

　　"Legal proceedings would be tantamount to a preliminary judgement and would solely represent additional propaganda intended to exert further political pressure in the presidential election campaign. The threat of any charges leaves me unperturbed.

　　The 11 executive committee members are acting on the basis of a report presented last week by FIFA general secretary Michel Zen-Ruffinen. His 21-page dossier, backed up with 300 pages of evidence, alleged mismanagement by Blatter.

　　Blatter, in office since 1998, has vigorously denied any wrongdoing.

　　The Swiss president is standing for re-election later this month against Issa Hayatou of Cameroon, president of the African confederation (CAF) and one of the executive committee members supporting the action.

　　The vote for the presidency is scheduled for May 29 in Seoul two days before the start of the World Cup finals, soccer's showpiece event being co-hosted by South Korea and Japan.

　　Blatter added in his statement on Thursday: "I maintain that, rather than campaigning for the election manifesto of their candidate, my opponents are in fact primarily targeting attacks against me personally.

　　"The reactions of countless national associations clearly show that they see through the intentions of my opponents and that they will not be influenced by these actions."