By Andrew Warshaw
May 26 – Michel Platini has launched arguably his most strongly-worded attack on Sepp Blatter’s FIFA tenure with a remarkable outburst, including accusing the veteran Swiss of lying about standing again, that has cranked up the tension and divisions ahead of Friday’s presidential election.
In a no-holds-barred interview with l’Equipe, the UEFA president, who declined to take on Blatter for football’s top job and instead left the European challenge to Michael van Praag and Luis Figo – both of whom have now pulled out – lays bare the rift between himself and Blatter in the almost certain knowledge that his one-time mentor will clinch a fifth term of office.
Platini, who is putting his weight behind Jordanian Prince Ali bin Al Hussein, now the sole opponent, remains infuriated that Blatter changed his mind about running and says he only wants to carry on because his life would otherwise be meaningless.
“He does not need to lie,” charged Platini. “We all know he wants to be re-elected not because he has not finished his ‘mission’ or because he still has big plans for FIFA. After 40 years at the head of such a body those words are no longer credible.
“No, he is simply afraid of the future because he has dedicated his life to FIFA as he has given his life to the institution, to the point where he now identifies himself fully with FIFA. I understand the fear of emptiness he must have, it’s natural. That is only human. But if he really wants the best for FIFA then he should place its interests ahead of his own.”
Platini believes there is no-one better than Prince Ali to take the fight to Blatter.
“I am firmly convinced that Ali, whom I have known on a personal level for years, would make a great FIFA President.
“He has all the qualities. He has a passion for the game, has been president of a national federation [Jordan] for 15 years, he was a member of the executive committee of the Asian confederation and has been a vice-president of FIFA.
“Hence he knows perfectly the workings of the institutions but has not yet had time to be crushed or moulded by them.
“He is honest and humble and comes from a country that bridges different cultures and traditions. He can bring real added value, and he is also someone who knows how to work in a team.
“I have nothing against Sepp. I like him as a person and I respect him. We have had some good times together, and nothing and no one can take that away.”
Yet how times change. Platini was instrumental in helping Blatter win his first term as FIFA president in 1998. But they are now poles apart – as the Frenchman’s latest critical comments illustrate.
“While he remains in place, whether he likes it or not, and whether it is fair or not, FIFA will lack credibility and its image will be tarnished, and so it will lack authority.
“Moreover, it will be football that suffers. FIFA will not disappear the moment he steps down. On the contrary, it would give FIFA the chance of a new lease of life.
“I am mostly disappointed for the European federations, whom I had asked to support Sepp in 2011, on the basis of a promise he had made in person.”
“It was more than a promise actually, it was a true commitment. He looked us in the eye and asked us … to support him for what would be his last term. And now he’s back on again as if nothing had happened. Maybe I’m too naive, sensitive or idealistic but I have the uncomfortable feeling that I gave a personal undertaking on the basis of a lie – and so, indirectly and unknowingly, I lied to my member associations. That is what disappoints me, nothing else.
“I simply believe that there comes a time when you have to hand over the reins instead of trying to cling on to power at all costs.”
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