Michel Platini backed by FA for FIFA presidency

Michel Platini has been given the firm backing of the Football Association after formally declaring he is to run for the FIFA presidency.

The 60-year-old UEFA president said he wants to he wants to restore the world governing body's dignity after the corruption crisis which engulfed the organisation and led to Sepp Blatter announcing he will quit as FIFA president.

FA chairman Greg Dyke has thrown his weight behind the Frenchman but warned that it will be a challenging task to change FIFA.

Platini has also championed Qatar's 2022 World Cup despite the controversy surrounding the bid and the decision to play the tournament in the winter.

Dyke said: "We support Michel Platini's candidacy. We have a good relationship with him and hope he can gain the necessary global backing to lead a new FIFA during the most difficult period in its history.

"We understand there will be a number of candidates, which should result in a strong and healthy debate. However, we should not underestimate how challenging it will be for anyone to lead an organisation that has been so tainted. The whole structure of FIFA must be reviewed and fundamentally changed.

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"With FA vice-chairman David Gill newly-appointed to the FIFA executive committee and the level of worldwide scrutiny on the reform process, the opportunity is there to bring about positive change. While we have yet to see Mr Platini's manifesto, we believe he will fully support an ongoing reform process.

"Mr Platini has been supportive of English football in recent years, not least when he visited St. George's Park last autumn and we spoke at length about the game in this country, our strong leagues, great clubs and fantastic fans. We continue to have discussions with him on our concerns about dwindling opportunities for homegrown players - a concern he shares.

"We are pleased Mr Platini has decided to stand as a candidate and we look forward to supporting him."

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