The UEFA chief has become the latest senior soccer figure to condemn the FIFA president and insists there is no chance he will support his re-election.
UEFA chief Michel Platini says FIFA president Sepp Blatter is “finished” and has refused to support his bid to retain his position as head of world soccer’s governing body.
Platini’s comments arrive in a week that has seen a number of European soccer leaders publicly criticize Blatter following more allegations of corruption in FIFA.
English Football Association chairman Greg Dyke said he was “deeply troubled” by Blatter’s reaction to allegations of corruption in The Sunday Times, while Netherlands Football Association chief Michael van Praag called for Blatter to take responsibility and step down from his role.
“I am supporting him no longer, it’s finished,” Platini told L’Equipe. “I’ve known him for a long time and I like him, but I’m not favorable to him having another term. I supported him in 1998 but I do not support him in 2014. In future, I will not support Blatter. I have told him that. I think FIFA needs a breath of fresh air.”
Platini also confirmed he is considering running for the role of FIFA president but insisted he would not be doing so just to oust Blatter.
“It is not because of Blatter that Michel Platini would stand,” he added. “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 old and I need to know what I want.”
Blatter caused further consternation this week with his comments over the possibility of a future “inter-planetary” soccer tournament.
