Michel Platini: Uefa Boss Asked To Stand For Fifa Presidency

Uefa boss Michel Platini has been asked by a majority of world football chiefs to stand for the Fifa presidency.

Platini is said to have had assurances of support from his own confederation, Asia, South America, plus North and Central America and the Caribbean.

It is thought 60-year-old Platini has yet to decide if he will stand.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter said on 2 June he would stand down and on Monday will announce plans for reform of football’s world governing body.

Blatter will hold talks with Fifa’s executive committee over a date for the new presidential election, with 16 December earmarked by several regional football confederations as their preferred option.

The 79-year-old was elected for a fifth term as president on 29 May but four days later announced his intention to relinquish the post amid two corruption investigations.

Former Fifa presidential candidate Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, who lost to Blatter in the May election, has called for the Swiss to leave immediately.

“President Blatter’s resignation cannot be dragged out any longer. He must leave now,” he said.

“He cannot be permitted to plan his succession and manage this election process. An interim independent leadership must be appointed to administer the process of the elections, in addition to the reforms that are being discussed prior to the elections.”

Prince Ali, who gave no indication in his statement of whether he intends to run again for the presidency, said the December option is unfair on Fifa members.

“It will not be possible for any of the other football associations of the world to put forward credible candidates from our community,” said the 39-year-old, who has been president of Jordan’s national football body since 1999.

“It is their absolute right to be a part of this process, and to have time to carefully consider the future without being rushed into an early election.”

Blatter is not expected to backtrack on his announcement to stand aside as president, despite appearing to suggest in June he was reconsidering his decision.

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