Former Juventus midfielder and President of UEFA, Michel Platini, has announced he will stand for the Presidency of FIFA.
The current head of world football’s governing body, Sepp Blatter, will stand down at an extraordinary congress in February, and there had been speculation that Platini would enter the race to replace him.
The 60-year-old has today confirmed his intention to seek the Presidency, in a letter to the 209 member associations of world football's governing body.
Former Juventus midfielder and President of UEFA, Michel Platini, has announced he will stand for the Presidency of FIFA.
The current head of world football’s governing body, Sepp Blatter, will stand down at an extraordinary congress in February, and there had been speculation that Platini would enter the race to replace him.
The 60-year-old has today confirmed his intention to seek the Presidency, in a letter to the 209 member associations of world football's governing body.
“This was a very personal, carefully considered decision, one in which I weighed up the future of football alongside my own future,” Platini wrote.
“I was also guided by the esteem, support and encouragement that many of you have shown me.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
The former Ballon d’Or winner also pledged to work tirelessly “in the interests of football”, to “give FIFA back the dignity and the position it deserves”.
Candidatures must be submitted by 26 October 2015, and the election will take place in Zurich on 26 February 2016.