By Andrew Warshaw in Sao Paulo
June 13 – UEFA chief Michel Platini may not yet have made up his mind whether to take on Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency next year but even if he doesn’t, he will certainly not support the 78-year-old Swiss. Blatter made it clear at this week’s FIFA congress that he intends to stand for a fifth term but if he goes ahead, he won’t be able to count on Platini’s backing.
During the congress, Platini took something of a backseat while those below him in the UEFA hierarchy gave Blatter an unprecedented – he called it disrespectful – grilling for changing his mind over whether to stand.
But in an interview with l’Equipe Platini joined the chorus of disapproval and said it was time Blatter called it a day. “I do not support him, I am not in favour of him having a new term,” said Platini, “I told him. I think FIFA needs a new breath of fresh air.
“Let’s place it into the context of what has gone on here in Sao Paulo in the last few days where we saw a backlash from European football chiefs – including the English FA and Netherlands. Blatter has responded to that by saying his mission isn’t finished and he wants to go on.”
Platini was a major player in Blatter first gaining the presidency back in 1998. But in recent years the relationship has become strained. That doesn’t mean, however, that Platini will necessarily stand next May.
“It’s one thing to say you won’t support Blatter, quite another to stand against him,” the Frenchman continued. “I have known him for a long time and I like him but I am not in favour of him having a new term. I supported him in 1998 but I do not support him in 2014. And in the future I will not support Mr Blatter.
“It is an option to run. But it is not because Sepp Blatter is running that Michel Platini will not run and it is not because Blatter is not running that Platini will run. My only concern is knowing what I want to do. I am 60 soon and I need to know what I want. I will take my time. I just want to be sure what I want to do.
“In my life, I wanted to be a footballer, and it went well. I was asked to be a coach (coach of the French national team) and then to be president of the organising committee for the 1998 World Cup and I liked it. Now I am very happy at UEFA. I am liked by the national associations. But FIFA, it is true, is something important.”
Blatter told the FIFA Congress in Sao Paulo that despite his age, he wanted to “build a new FIFA”, earning applause from all but the 54 European federations. The problem for any UEFA official taking him on lies in securing enough support from the other 156 member federations of FIFA who will cast their votes at next year’s election.
Blatter’s quest for re-election was aided by a congress vote against proposals to introduce age and term limits. “It wasn’t the Europeans who blocked the reforms, it was clear who voted against the age limit,” said Platini pointedly. Platini says he will announce his decision at the UEFA Champions League Draw on 28 August in Monaco. “The national associations would like me to say as soon as possible,” he added. ”It is not just mine but also that of my family, my children. That’s a lot of people. But choosing between UEFA and FIFA is not choosing between going to hospital or going to prison – the choice is not a negative one. But when I launch, it is to win.”
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