Sunday, June 8, 2014

Platini 'disillusioned with FIFA'

Former France international Michel Platini has been head of UEFA since 2007.
Former France international Michel Platini has been head of UEFA since 2007.
  • UEFA president Michel Platini unhappy with way FIFA runs world football
  • Frenchman unlikely to stand for FIFA presidency at next year's elections
  • Sepp Blatter expected to stand for fifth term, breaking his 2011 promise
  • UEFA, Europe's governing body, does not want Blatter to stand unopposed

Follow us at @WorldSportCNN and like us on Facebook

(CNN) -- He was once considered the obvious choice to become the next leader of world football, but that vision appears to be waning.

Michel Platini is so disillusioned and frustrated at the way FIFA conducts itself that it would take an almighty change to persuade him to run for presidency of the ruling body, CNN has learned.

While UEFA has yet to approach anybody to stand against incumbent Sepp Blatter, there is only a 10% chance that Platini will be that man, a source close to the Frenchman told CNN.

Platini, the president of European football's governing body, believes there would need to be unrecognizable change within FIFA to eradicate all traces of corruption before he considered his candidacy, the source said.

Last weekend, UK newspaper The Sunday Times published allegations claiming a Qatari official paid more than $5 million in an attempt to secure support for the Gulf state's successful bid to host the 2022 tournament.

According to allegations, Mohamed bin Hammam made secret payments to soccer officials in the run-up to the controversial 2010 ballot.

Bin Hammam, the former president of the Asian Football Confederation, was a member of FIFA's powerful 24-person executive committee charged with voting on who hosted the finals at the time of the vote in 2010.

Bin Hammam, who was banned for life from football the following year after separate bribery allegations, said he would not be making any comments on the new scandal other than he believed "that the truth will find its way to (the) public one way or another."

The Qatar 2022 bid committee strenuously denies any wrongdoing or knowledge of any payments made on its behalf.

On Tuesday, the British Daily Telegraph reported Platini met with Bin Hammam just days before the World Cup was awarded to Qatar.

The source confirmed to CNN that while Platini did meet with Bin Hammam, the subject of the conversation was the FIFA presidency and not the 2022 World Cup.

According to the source, Bin Hammam wanted Platini to stand against Blatter in 2011 but the former France international player refused.

It was then, according to the source, that Bin Hammam decided to challenge Blatter himself, but was unsuccessful after being found guilty by a FIFA ethics committee of offering cash for votes and was banned for life.

In a copy of a letter written to the Daily Telegraph and provided to CNN, Platini describes the allegations as "astonishing."

"I have obviously met with Mr. Mohamed Bin Hammam on many occasions in 2010 as we were both members of the same FIFA Executive Committee since 2002," read the letter.

Former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner has dismissed allegations that he received payments from ex-Qatari football officials after the emirate won the right to host the 2022 World Cup as "foolishness." Warner resigned from FIFA in 2011 after he was accused of accepting bribes.Former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner has dismissed allegations that he received payments from ex-Qatari football officials after the emirate won the right to host the 2022 World Cup as "foolishness." Warner resigned from FIFA in 2011 after he was accused of accepting bribes.
The announcement by FIFA in 2010 that Qatar would host the 2022 World Cup finals has brought greater exposure for the tiny emirate.The announcement by FIFA in 2010 that Qatar would host the 2022 World Cup finals has brought greater exposure for the tiny emirate.
It has also placed world governing body FIFA under pressure as to just when the tournament will be held. The organization's secretary general Jerome Valcke says he expects the 2022 World Cup to be played between November and January.It has also placed world governing body FIFA under pressure as to just when the tournament will be held. The organization's secretary general Jerome Valcke says he expects the 2022 World Cup to be played between November and January.
Previously FIFA, whose president is Sepp Blatter, has insisted no decision on when the 2022 World Cup will be played would be taken until after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.Previously FIFA, whose president is Sepp Blatter, has insisted no decision on when the 2022 World Cup will be played would be taken until after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
It's not just when the 2022 World Cup will be played that has caused Qatar and FIFA problems. Qatar has come under pressure over the plight of the country's migrant workers, who make up 90 per cent of Qatar's population. It's not just when the 2022 World Cup will be played that has caused Qatar and FIFA problems. Qatar has come under pressure over the plight of the country's migrant workers, who make up 90 per cent of Qatar's population.
This has been been highlighted by the International Trade Union Confederation, which has criticized Qatar's system of sponsorship which ties workers to employers and has been abused in the past. The ITUC also point to the high number of worker deaths and the conditions that many find themselves in. Temperatures on building sites in the summer months can hit 50 degree Celcius.This has been been highlighted by the International Trade Union Confederation, which has criticized Qatar's system of sponsorship which ties workers to employers and has been abused in the past. The ITUC also point to the high number of worker deaths and the conditions that many find themselves in. Temperatures on building sites in the summer months can hit 50 degree Celcius.
Football players' rights have also been issue in Qatar, which was recently highlighted by the case of Zahir Belounis.Football players' rights have also been issue in Qatar, which was recently highlighted by the case of Zahir Belounis.
Qatar's ambitious plans for the 2022 World Cup include building brand new, state of the art stadiums that would rival any in the world.Qatar's ambitious plans for the 2022 World Cup include building brand new, state of the art stadiums that would rival any in the world.
To combat the intense desert heat in the summer, each stadium would be equipped with zero carbon cooling technology that would cool the pitch and the stands.To combat the intense desert heat in the summer, each stadium would be equipped with zero carbon cooling technology that would cool the pitch and the stands.
But costs have spiraled and the technology has yet to be successfully deployed in full.But costs have spiraled and the technology has yet to be successfully deployed in full.
But the allegations by the Sunday Times could, if proven, see the vote for the 2022 final rerun, making questions about timing irrelevant.But the allegations by the Sunday Times could, if proven, see the vote for the 2022 final rerun, making questions about timing irrelevant.
2022 World Cup in Qatar2022 World Cup in Qatar
What goes on inside the human mind fascinates Professor Steve Peters -- from sporting stars to those in secure psychiatric units.What goes on inside the human mind fascinates Professor Steve Peters -- from sporting stars to those in secure psychiatric units.
Peters has become globally recognized as a master of the mind, most notably in sporting circles -- where he has worked since 2001.Peters has become globally recognized as a master of the mind, most notably in sporting circles -- where he has worked since 2001.
He started with British Cycling, brought in to work with riders by then performance director Dave Brailsford (far left).He started with British Cycling, brought in to work with riders by then performance director Dave Brailsford (far left).
Among those he has helped is former Wales striker Craig Bellamy, who turned to Peters following the suicide of his mentor Gary Speed.Among those he has helped is former Wales striker Craig Bellamy, who turned to Peters following the suicide of his mentor Gary Speed.
Snooker champion Ronnie O'Sullivan insists that he would have quit the sport had it not been for Peters.Snooker champion Ronnie O'Sullivan insists that he would have quit the sport had it not been for Peters.
Peters has worked closely with Liverpool Football Club, helping the players to shun their inhibitions and finish second in the English Premier League in the 2013-14 season.Peters has worked closely with Liverpool Football Club, helping the players to shun their inhibitions and finish second in the English Premier League in the 2013-14 season.
Delving inside sporting minds
Delving inside sporting minds
Delving inside sporting minds
Delving inside sporting minds
Delving inside sporting minds
Delving inside sporting minds
Delving inside sporting mindsDelving inside sporting minds
Darfur United is one of 12 teams playing at the ConIFA World Cup. Here the players train in one of the East Chad refugee camps set up after the conflict in Sudan. Darfur United is one of 12 teams playing at the ConIFA World Cup. Here the players train in one of the East Chad refugee camps set up after the conflict in Sudan.
The team training has emphasized fitness and discipline ahead of the tournament in Sweden.The team training has emphasized fitness and discipline ahead of the tournament in Sweden.
The Darfur players pose with i-ACT founder and executive director Gabriel Stauring ahead of the trip to Ostersund.The Darfur players pose with i-ACT founder and executive director Gabriel Stauring ahead of the trip to Ostersund.
Mahamat Oumar Ignegui, known as "Iggy," plays midfield and is among the leaders of the team.
Mahamat Oumar Ignegui, known as "Iggy," plays midfield and is among the leaders of the team.
Iraqi Kurdistan took on Cyprus in the 2012 Viva World Cup final in Kurdistan -- the hosts won 2-1.Iraqi Kurdistan took on Cyprus in the 2012 Viva World Cup final in Kurdistan -- the hosts won 2-1.
Kurdistan fans were out in force to support their team at the 2012 tournament -- there are over 40 million stateless Kurds in the world today.Kurdistan fans were out in force to support their team at the 2012 tournament -- there are over 40 million stateless Kurds in the world today.
Enock Barwuah -- brother of Italy and Milan forward Mario Balotelli -- and ConIFA Europe director Alberto Rischio (left) in Ostersund.
Enock Barwuah -- brother of Italy and Milan forward Mario Balotelli -- and ConIFA Europe director Alberto Rischio (left) in Ostersund.
Stateless and unrecognized
Stateless and unrecognized
Stateless and unrecognized
Stateless and unrecognized
Stateless and unrecognized
Stateless and unrecognized
Stateless and unrecognized
Stateless and unrecognizedStateless and unrecognized

"During those conversations with Mr. Bin Hammam, the topic of the discussions was my potential candidature for the FIFA Presidency. Mr. Bin Hammam was indeed trying to convince me to become a candidate for the 2011 FIFA Presidential elections.

"Additionally, I wish to reiterate that I am the only member of the FIFA Executive Committee who publicly stated for which bid I have voted -- proof of my full transparency -- and that no-one ever dictates terms or conditions to me.

"Unfortunately, I am no longer surprised by the circulation of unfounded rumors which aim at tarnishing my image, especially in such an important time for the future of football."

The source told CNN that the current allegations have not damaged Platini's reputation within UEFA, although he is believed to have grown tired of the constant sniping,

While Platini has been one of the only men to reveal he voted for Qatar, the admission has left him open to attacks, while others who did likewise remain in the shadows.

The episode has made Platini seriously consider whether he will ever run for FIFA, the source told CNN, adding that the Frenchman believes he may be best suited to remaining in Switzerland and working on a number of other football projects.

While Platini, 58, does not intend to stand against Blatter in the presidential contest, UEFA would like to avoid a scenario where the 78-year-old runs for a fifth consecutive term unopposed.

Blatter, 78, is expected to declare his intention to stand once again when he addresses FIFA's 209 members this weekend and go back on the promise he made not to stand again.

The other man who could challenge Blatter is Frenchman Jerome Champagne -- a man who has already stated he is unlikely to win should Blatter stand again. His campaign has inspired little confidence at UEFA.

UEFA is keen to ensure it picks a candidate, thought to be from its committee, which does not stand to lose their career if defeated.

A number of UEFA officials are expected to stage a sit-down protest against Blatter at the FIFA EXCO meeting in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

It is hoped that the protest will give FIFA an indication of the frustration and annoyance at the way the game's governing body is running football.

Read: Qatar findings to be published

Read: FIFA rocked by voting scandal

Share This!


No comments:

Post a Comment

Powered By Blogger · Designed By Elle News post