UEFA president Michel Platini refuses to back Sepp Blatter for FIFA re-election
Sepp Blatter has been president of soccer's governing body since 1998 and is up for re-election. (AFP/Getty Images)
UEFA president Michel Platini said he is not going to support Sepp Blatter if the FIFA president stands for re-election and is considering running for the post himself. Platini said Blatter has reneged on his promise not to run again for the presidency of soccer's governing body.
"I am supporting him no longer, it’s finished. I have known him for a long time, I like him, but I’m not favourable to him having another term,” Platini said to L’Equipe. “I supported him in 1998, but I do not support in 2014. And in the future, I shall not support Blatter. I told him that. I think FIFA needs a breath of fresh air.”
Platini said it is time for a change in leadership and plans to announce his intentions on the FIFA presidency in next year's election on Aug. 28.
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“It is an option,” Platini said. “But it is not because of Blatter that Michel Platini would stand. And it is not because of Sepp Blatter that Michel Platini would not appear. My only concern is what I want to do. I am almost 60 years and I need to know what I want.
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