ZURICH: UEFA president Michel Platini ended weeks of uncertainty on Wednesday when he announced that he would stand for the presidency of FIFA in place of outgoing Sepp Blatter, aiming to give the scandal-hit governing body “the dignity and the position it deserves”.

The 60-year-old former French international, who has been UEFA president since 2007 and a FIFA executive committee member since 2002, said he had written to the 209 member associations of FIFA, who each hold one vote in the presidential election, to inform them of his decision and immediately ran into a storm of criticism from one of his potential rivals.

The FIFA election is on Feb 26 and would-be candidates must apply by Oct 26.


Frenchman runs into storm after announcing candidature


“There are times in life when you have to take your destiny into your own hands,” Platini, who played in three World Cups for France and led them to the European championship title in 1984, said in the letter, according to a statement published on the UEFA website.

“I am at one of those decisive moments, at a juncture in my life and in events that are shaping the future of FIFA.”

Platini has for years been the obvious candidate to succeed Blatter, his mentor in FIFA politics. But a rift between the long-time allies deepened when Blatter broke a promise to leave office in 2015.

The former France great chose last year not to oppose Blatter, who won a fifth presidential term on May 29. But four days later, the 79-year-old Swiss said he would lay down his mandate under pressure from American and Swiss investigations of corruption implicating FIFA — the worst crisis in FIFA’s history.

“This was a very personal, carefully considered decision, one in which I weighed up the future of football alongside my own future,” said Platini, who has not been linked to any wrongdoing in the two federal cases.

“I was also guided by the esteem, support and encouragement that many of you have shown me.”

He added: “During this last half-century or so, FIFA has only had two presidents. This extreme stability is something of a paradox in a world that has experienced radical upheavals and in a sport that has undergone considerable economic change.

“However, recent events force the supreme governing body of world football to turn over a new leaf and rethink its governance.”

Still, Platini has been criticized for voting for Qatar as 2022 World Cup host, after seeming to be pressured by then-president of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, ahead of the December 2010 ballot.

In his letter on Wednesday, Platini said he wanted a FIFA that is “exemplary ... that is respected, liked and of the people.”

Platini chose to run after getting encouragement from some of his fellow FIFA vice presidents last week in St Petersburg, Russia.

Five of the six confederation leaders, including Platini, were there for the 2018 World Cup qualifying draw with only the North American regional body missing.

Platini then travelled to Philadelphia for the Gold Cup final on Sunday, and briefed CONCACAF leaders on his plans. They included FIFA executive committee colleague Sunil Gulati, the US Soccer Federation president.

The US body was among the five FIFA members which nominated Prince Ali bin al-Hussein to challenge Blatter two months ago. The Jordanian prince was publicly supported by Platini but Blatter had pockets of support across Europe in a 133-73 victory.

Platini met the prince in the south of France last week and discussed the FIFA election but on Wednesday, Prince Ali turned on him and described him as “not good for football”.

“Platini is not good for FIFA. Football’s fans and players deserve better, “he said in a statement. “FIFA is engulfed in scandal. We must stop doing business as usual. The practice of back-room, under-the-table deals must end.

“I believe that the voices of the individual Football Federations must be heard. In the coming week, I will be consulting with them about what is in the best interests of football.

“What is clear is that FIFA needs new, independent leadership, untainted by the practices of the past,” added Prince Ali.

It now appears the 39-year-old, who is the third son of King Hussein of Jordan, may be plotting a fresh campaign to run against Platini and make a second bid for the high-powered post.

Platini is not the first would-be candidate to launch a formal bid but is the most serious contender in the contest so far. Another former FIFA vice president, Chung Mong-joon of South Korea, has suggested he will run after stating last week that he doubted Platini was serious about wanting the job.

Former Brazil great Zico and Liberia federation president Musa Bility have said they want to seek the five nominations required to be a candidate.

Diego Maradona also said he wants the FIFA job, although the colourful former Argentina great is unlikely to be taken seriously.

Under Platini’s leadership, UEFA has implemented a controversial break-even policy known as financial fair play in an attempt to stop clubs from overspending.

He has also opposed the use of technology to help referees make decisions and UEFA has instead employed two additional linesmen on the goal-lines during Champions League matches.

Platini has also helped smaller countries by adding eight teams to the now-24 nation European Championship, changing qualifying routes for UEFA competitions and awarding them hosting rights for Euro 2020, Europa League finals and Super Cup matches.

“As the president of UEFA, I have brought Europe together on a unifying path,” Platini wrote. “I gave all the national associations — big and small — the place they deserved. Now, I aspire to do the same at world level, to offer all national associations a common cause.”

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2015

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