Michel Platini is set to declare he will run for the Federation Internationale de Football Association presidency this week and an announcement could come as early as Wednesday.
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The 60-year-old Platini, a former France and Juventus midfielder, has been UEFA president since 2007 and had been widely expected to throw his hat into the ring to succeed Sepp Blatter, who announced his plan to stand down two months ago. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because Platini has not announced his candidacy.
Uefa president Michel Platini.
“There are times in life when you have to take your destiny into your own hands”, Platini wrote.
“I am counting on your support and our common love of football so that, together, we can give the tens of millions of football fans the Fifa that they want: a Fifa that is exemplary, united and shows solidarity, a Fifa that is respected, liked and of the people”.
Spain’s Angel Villar Llona is understood to still harbour ambitions for the UEFA presidency but he is still under investigation by FIFA’s ethics committee over Spain’s bid for the 2018 World Cup.
Platini has long been the bookmakers’ favourite to succeed Blatter and last week his supporters indicated that he has picked up widespread support from leaders of the continental confederations. But a rift between the long-time allies deepened when Blatter broke a promise to leave office in 2015.
Blatter has announced he is to step down on February 26 due to the corruption crisis which has engulfed the organisation.
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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. They included FIFA executive committee colleague Sunil Gulati, the U.S. Soccer Federation president. Jordan’s Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, beaten by Blatter in May’s presidential vote, is also considering running in next February’s election. The Jordanian prince was publicly supported by Platini but lost 133-73.
