UEFA's President Michel Platini voiced for the first time his thoughts about the upcoming FIFA Congress, in which a new president will be decided. The former French footballer, who was thought to be a frontrunner for FIFAs top job, pointed out the need for "new ideas" to benefit football on the long run. Furthermore, he believes the time for a change has come in the sport's governing body.
"I think it's a good chance for an open debate in the world of football, and I believe FIFA needs new ideas and new programmes. We have four candidates, and we must pay attention to what their agendas are, but I believe that, for football's best interest, it's time for a change in FIFA," Platini stated.
Platini voiced his thoughts in UEFA's website, where he answered questions formulated by fans and national team captains, such as Gianluigi Buffon and Iker Casillas. The French exec also spoke about why he chose not to run for FIFA's top job, revealing he feels he's in the right place right now.
"I decided to keep my position in UEFA, I never said I would not run for FIFA's presidency. It's a completely different thing. Perhaps it's not my time to run for that job, only time will tell if I should do it," the Frenchman added.
Platini is set to be re-elected as UEFA's boss on March 24th, completing his eighth year as president. His posture backs the feeling of several European associations, which have claimed that Blatter should step down from his position in order to bring credibility back to the sport. FIFA's Swiss president will face former footballer Luis Figo, Dutch exec Michael Van Praag and Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein with the intention of serving a fifth term as football's ruler.
