Sports Briefs
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MICHEL Platini, president of the Union of European Football Associations, UEFA, intends to run for the presidency of the International Federation of Association of Football, FIFA, in February, next year.
Platini, 60, who has been UEFA president since 2007, is believed to have received enough backing in Europe to run for the FIFA plum job.
The UEFA boss said in a letter to the FIFA’s 209 member associations: “This was a very personal, carefully considered decision, one in which I weighed up the future of football alongside my own future. I was also guided by the esteem, support and encouragement that many of you have shown me.”
He said he was standing as someone “with enthusiasm and conviction, but also with the humility of someone who knows that he cannot succeed on his own,” and added: “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.”
He also posted on the UEFA website: “There are times in life when you have to take your destiny into your own hands. I am at one of those decisive moments, at a juncture in my life and in events that are shaping the future of FIFA.”
Sepp Blatter, who had been the FIFA president since 1998, announced in June that he was resigning just days after being re-elected amid the corruption scandal that has rocked world football’s governing body.
Blatter will be replaced at an election scheduled to hold on February 26 and all those interested in the post must have declared their intention to stand by October 26.
— Aug 10, 2015 @ 01:00 GMT
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Tags: FIFA football International Federation of Association of Football Michel Platini presidency Sepp Blatter UEFA Union of European Football Associations
