Michel Platini has declared himself a candidate to become FIFA president in February's upcoming election.
Platini, the current UEFA president, is reported to have held talks with football powerbrokers during the Russia 2018 World Cup draw and is now confident he has enough backing to run successfully.
“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 said in a statement.
“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.”
The 60-year-old will have the backing of the FA and most likely from the rest of Europe.
Despite Qatar being awarded the 2022 World Cup in controversial circumstances, it's believed that Platini's backing of the World Cup appropriation will be favorable in gaining support from the Gulf nation.
Blatter was re-elected in May, but within four days had announced he would quit after Fifa’s involvement in payments to officials was uncovered
The election will take place on 26 February.
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