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FIFA Presidency: Platini To Announce Bid

UEFA President, Michel Platini, is expected to make a big announcement about his intention to run for the presidency of  world football governing body, FIFA. … Continue reading FIFA Presidency: Platini To Announce Bid


Platini

uefaUEFA President, Michel Platini, is expected to make a big announcement about his intention to run for the presidency of  world football governing body, FIFA.

Platini, who, according to reports, has gotten the support of at least four continental confederations in his quest to succeed Sepp Blatter, who announced plans to step down two months ago, is expected to make the big announcement sometime this week.

The European football governing body chief’s impending announcement, who pundits say is the favourite to succeed Blatter, is likely to prompt other contenders to confirm their plans to stand.

South Korea’s Chung Mong-joon, a former FIFA vice-president, is expected to announce his candidacy next month, while Jordan’s Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, beaten by Blatter during the presidential vote in May, is also considering running in next February’s election.

Platini, who is a former protege of Blatter’s, turned into one of his biggest critics and he has said FIFA’s corruption scandal “disgusted” him and gave him “stomach trouble”.

However, critics of the Frenchman who played who is a legend of Italia Serie A club, will focus on his support for the 2022 World Cup to be held in Qatar.

Platini, part of the FIFA executive committee since 2002, voted for Qatar, despite FIFA’s own technical report flagging up concerns about the searing heat in the Gulf state.

Embattled FIFA President, Blatter said last month he would leave his post after 18 years as head of the world football governing body, amidst corruption allegations, just four days after he won a fifth four-year term by beating Jordan’s Prince Ali bin al-Hussein in a vote.

The executive committee has set February 26, 2016, as the date for a vote to replace Blatter ,and candidates have until October 26 to be nominated by five national federations.

A two-third majority is required in the first round of voting to win the election. If that fails, then a simple majority is required.