UEFA
president Michel Platini has said he will not challenge FIFA president Sepp
Blatter for the football world body's top position. However, Platini did call
on Blatter to step down when his term ends in 2015.
Deutsche Welle, 28 Aug 2014
French
football legend Michel Platini said Thursday he would concentrate on a new term
as head of Europe's governing body instead of challenging Blatter for FIFA's
presidency.
"This
is not the time, it is not my time. Not yet," Platini, 59, told reporters.
"I
thought long and hard, but never managed to convince myself during these months
of reflection that I had to go to FIFA for these elections. It's as simple as
that. Once again, I have chosen to follow my heart. I have chosen football. I
have chosen passion."
German
Football Association (DFB) president Wolfgang Niersbach said he found Platini's
decision "understandable."
"The
alternative would have been an exhausting, long election campaign which would
have caused a lot of agitation in the football world," Niersbach added.
Good for
football?
Platini's
decision means Blatter, 78, will likely secure a fifth four-year term at the
helm of FIFA in an election that is due to take place next May. Platini did
say, however, that he told Blatter personally that he thinks FIFA "needs a
breath of fresh air" and that he should step down.
"My
debate was UEFA or FIFA. I still have respect for Blatter but he should give up
his place," he said.
Blatter
announced in June that he would run for another term despite initially planning
to step down in 2015. The news was met by harsh opposition from European
football chiefs.
Blatter's
announcement also came amid corruption allegations against the organization,
most recently over Qatar's nomination as 2022 hosts.
The only
candidate to face Blatter so far is former FIFA deputy secretary general,
Jerome Champagne. However, he has acknowledged that he has little chance of
beating Blatter.
hc/tj (AFP,
dpa)
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