A letter has also been distributed throughout the swimming community by Asia Swimming Federation (AASF) vice-president Virendra Nanavati accusing Barelli, 63, of "arrogance" and being "insecure".

The Italian is due to challenge incumbent Uruguayan Maglione, 81, at an election scheduled for the FINA Congress in Budapest on July 22.

Maglione is considered the heavy favourite given how he has received pledges of united support from continental federations in Asia, Africa and Oceania.

European Swimming Federation head Barelli, in contrast, is thought to be struggling to gain backing outside his continent and is not even assured of complete support there.

He has accused Maglione of copying his pledges to increase development funding for FINA members after he promised African Swimming Federation (CANA) members support amounting to $15,000 (£11,500/€13,000).

The funding, described as an "administrative grant" by CANA, is designed to "cover participation in African Championships which takes place once each year".

"I see that in an awkward attempt to play catch up with the proposals I included in my manifesto the letter sent few days ago by CANA leaders promises indiscriminately $15,000 to each Federation," Barelli writes in a letter to the African body published on his new campaign website.

"I am truly pleased to see this sudden change of direction but then I wonder: who is it that is promising indiscriminate cash for votes?"

He then launched another attack against South Africa's FINA vice-president and CANA head Sam Ramsamy.

"It would be appropriate to ask Ramsamy, the CANA President, FINA vice-president and IOC member what the reasons behind his sudden change of behaviour, delayed announcement of economic contributions and his ridiculous accusations in my regard are truly based upon," Barelli writes.

"Is it an escape route, a clumsy attempt to distract the attention form the fact that he has done very little or nothing at all in favour of the CANA Federations, which have never benefited from any adequate development program or solid guarantees that their needs would be considered and addressed?"

In a separate letter sent to the AASF, Barelli blasted the continental body after their call for Asian delegates to vote for Dutchman Erik van Heijningen and Russian Swimming Federation President Vladimir Salnikov for two European positions on the FINA Bureau.

LEN and Barelli have instead proposed Royal Spanish Swimming Federation President Fernando Carpena and Christa Thiel, President of the German Swimming Federation President for 16 years until she stepped down in 2016.

Barelli beat van Heijningen in a LEN Presidential election last year.

But Nanavati has hit back at Barelli's criticisms in a letter of his own. 

He points that every FINA member has the power to elect continental representatives before lambasting the Italian's campaign tactics.

"Mr Barelli is constantly bombarding us with various matters in his negative campaign to seek election as FINA President," he writes.

"This is the symptom of his insecurity to influence Member Federations.

"Mr Barelli has the arrogance of implying that the contents of my letter to the Asian has been written by someone else with my signature. 

"I take great exception to this accusation, He has no idea about my credentials.

"Further, we have observed in his bulletins that his command of the English language has improved tremendously.

"The important and the real question; Do we wish to elect an insecure person and one who has no comprehension of the FINA Constitution to lead us in FINA?"