Michel Platini will not stand against Sepp Blatter for the FIFA presidency, leaving the way open for the 78-year-old Swiss to be reappointed for a fifth term.
The 59-year-old Frenchman told UEFA delegates in Monaco today he had decided against standing for the post as he wants to continue as the head of European football.
Platini said: “This is the decision I have made. It is about what I want to do with UEFA.”
The best quotes from the 2014 World Cup
Five of FIFA’s six continental bodies have already announced their support for Blatter with only Europe publicly opposing him.
The only candidate to declare his intention to run against Blatter next year is former FIFA deputy secretary general Jerome Champagne.
Meanwhile, the Football Association could bid to host Euro 2028 and is confident Wembley will win the right to stage the final in six years’ time. Only Munich is standing against Wembley to host the final and semi-finals of the 2020 tournament, which will be held across Europe.
FA general secretary Alex Horne, speaking in Monaco, said: “We know what the Germans have been saying. We know that they’re thinking about [bidding for] the 2024 finals.”
He added: “I wouldn’t rule out [England] looking at Euro 2028.”
