Football
ESPN staff 9y

Michel Platini delays FIFA presidency announcement

Michel Platini will delay any announcement on standing for the FIFA presidency until after this weekend's 2018 World Cup preliminary draw.

Platini will attend the draw in St. Petersburg where he will hold further talks with figures from world football and is likely to make an announcement next week, according to PA Sport sources.

The 60-year-old UEFA president is the favourite to succeed Sepp Blatter in the election on Feb. 26, 2015 after getting the backing of four of the six FIFA confederations.

Meanwhile, Platini would favour a fully independent person from outside football being appointed to lead a FIFA task force charged with implementing reforms of the world governing body.

Domenico Scala, the independent chairman of FIFA's audit and compliance committee, has emerged as a candidate after he discussed the position last weekend with three confederation presidents including Platini.

Although Platini would be open to the idea of Scala being appointed, UEFA insiders say he would prefer someone without any FIFA connections taking the position.

Proposed reforms include integrity checks for FIFA executive committee members, term limits for officials and making public the salaries of all senior FIFA employees including the president.

Meanwhile, Platini met with potential FIFA presidential election rival Prince Ali bin al-Hussein for the first time since Sepp Blatter announced his exit.

Spokesmen for both men declined to comment on details of the talks in the south of France on Wednesday.

Prince Ali was publicly supported by UEFA President Platini before losing a 133-73 vote to Blatter in May. Four days later, Blatter said he would leave under pressure from corruption investigations.

Later Wednesday, Prince Ali opposed Platini's view on FIFA reform plans.

Platini said Monday that FIFA's in-house task force was important and should be "swift and effective."

The Jordanian prince says a totally independent panel should start work during the next FIFA presidency.

The Associated Press and Press Association contributed to this report.

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