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Michel Platini believes it is time for Sepp
Blatter to stand aside
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FIFA president Sepp Blatter misled the
world of football by reneging on a commitment to step down in 2015, UEFA
president Michel Platini said on Monday.
Reuters
reports Platini backed him in the 2011 election on that basis but is angry that
Blatter, 79, is seeking re-election on Friday for a further term.
"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," the former
French international told the sports newspaper L'Equipe.
"It
was more than a promise actually, it was a true commitment. He had 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 unpleasant feeling that
my commitment was based on a lie and that I indirectly have lied to the
federations."
Platini
reiterated that he would be supporting Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein of Jordan, the
only other candidate in Friday's election.
UEFA
president Michel Platini has endorsed Prince Ali bin al-Hussein in the FIFA
presidential election, saying incumbent Sepp Blatter is clinging to power as he
fears a life of 'emptiness' if forced out, Press Association reports.
Prince
Ali is the last remaining challenger to 79-year-old Blatter, who is seeking a
fifth four-year term in office despite saying his current term would be his
last when elected in 2011.
Platini,
once a Blatter supporter and possible successor, told French sports newspaper
L'Equipe Blatter's claims that he needed a further term to complete his vision
were "not credible".
"No,
he is simply afraid of what is next because he has dedicated his life to FIFA,"
Platini said. "I understand the fear of emptiness that he must have as he
is human. But if he really loves FIFA, he should put it before himself.
"While
he remains in office, whether he likes it or not, whether it is just or not,
FIFA will have a credibility problem and thus a problem of authority."
Blatter
faced a number of challengers in this election, but while the candidacy of
David Ginola proved to be a gimmick, those of Dutch FA president Michael van
Praag and former Portugal international Luis Figo failed to gain significant
support, and both men pulled out last week with supporters gravitating to
Prince Ali as the only alternative to Blatter.
Platini,
who cannot vote in the election which is open to the 209 national federations,
gave his backing to the 39-year-old Jordanian.
"I
am convinced that Ali, who I have known personally for many years, can make a
great president of FIFA," Platini said. "He has all the qualities. He
has of course great passion for soccer and FIFA. He brings legitimacy, he has
been president of a national federation for 15 years, a member of the executive
committee of his confederation and a vice president of FIFA.
"He
knows completely the workings of the institution without yet having had time to
be crushed or deformed by them, and he has resisted that because he has great
freedom of spirit and independence."
Platini
said he has nothing personal against Blatter, who he helped gain election in
1998.
"He is a man that I like and respect,"
Platini said. "We have enjoyed great times that cannot be erased. He did
some very good things and made good decisions at difficult times. This is why I
would never attack him. But after a while you cannot simply hold on to the
throne at any cost."
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