FIFA Presidential Election 2016: Latest News and Rumours on Potential Candidates

Nick AkermanJul 29, 2015

UEFA President Michel Platini has confirmed he will run for the FIFA presidency at the February 2016 extraordinary election, which will see Sepp Blatter replaced in the governing body's hot seat.

Blatter opted to resign despite winning May's election. His decision came amid two ongoing investigations into criminal activity within FIFA.

The FBI is currently exploring "racketeering, wire fraud and money-laundering conspiracies" within the organisation, per the United States Department of Justice. As BBC Sport reported, Swiss officials are carrying out a separate probe into the allocation of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, to be held in Russia and Qatar, respectively.

Platini Announces FIFA Candidacy

Thursday, July 30

"This was a very personal, carefully considered decision, one in which I weighed up the future of football alongside my own future. I was also guided by the esteem, support and encouragement that many of you have shown me," Platini wrote in a letter to FIFA's 209 member associations, per UEFA.com.

The former France international continued: "There are times in life when you have to take your destiny into your own hands. I am at one of those decisive moments, at a juncture in my life and in events that are shaping the future of FIFA."

Platini believes it is time to "rethink" FIFA's governance and that the organisation must "turn over a new leaf." His campaign will be based around the unification of confederations, promising a regime that is based on "listening to everyone and respecting the diversity of the game around the world."

Francois Mori/Associated Press

He vowed to build "a FIFA that is exemplary, united and shows solidarity, a FIFA that is respected, liked and of the people."

The 60-year-old joined legendary footballers Zico and Diego Maradona in announcing his intentions to stand, reported Paul Kelso of Sky News.

Former FIFA vice-president Chung Mong-joon will also stand in the race to succeed Blatter, per BBC World Football. "Blatter is like a cannibal eating his parents and then crying he’s an orphan," said Chung, per Ben Rumsby of the Daily Telegraph.

Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News isn't convinced Platini is the man for the job, tweeting: "Platini for FIFA President? Platini voted for Qatar 2022, and his son was, as of last year, working for a Qatar-owned sports company."

Richard Conway of BBC Sport reported Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan, who finished second to Blatter in the recent election, is yet to announce whether he will launch a second campaign for FIFA's top job.

Prince Ali does not support Platini's decision to stand, though, Dan Roan of BBC Sport reported: "Platini is not good for FIFA," he said. "Fans and players deserve better. FIFA needs new, independent leadership untainted by past practices."

These comments come despite Rob Harris of the Associated Press tweeting, "Prince Ali seemed happy to have Platini's support in May—they also shared the same PR advisers."

Dutchman Michael van Praag and former Real Madrid favourite Luis Figo also stood last time out but removed themselves from the election before the final vote. "I remain available to help FIFA rebuild after this," said Figo, per Sky Sports.

Platini has remained UEFA president since 2007 and is an obvious choice to take over from Blatter, having had a close yet sometimes strained relationship with the current leader.