UEFA President Michel Platini remains determined to stand for top FIFA post
Wednesday 30 September 2015 07:48, UK
Michel Platini has reaffirmed his intention to stand for the FIFA presidency, saying he is "calm and totally serene" about the current investigation by Swiss authorities.
The Frenchman has had to explain why there was a nine-year delay in a payment of £1.35m from FIFA - the matter at the centre of a Swiss prosecutor's investigation - for work undertaken by Platini between 1998 and 2002.
Current UEFA president Platini has been described by Swiss Attorney General Michael Lauber as "between a witness and an accused person" in a corruption probe that has now widened to include FIFA President Blatter.
But Platini has insisted he has done nothing wrong, claiming FIFA was unable to pay him in full at the time.
"I was employed by FIFA as a special advisor to President Sepp Blatter, working on various matters related to football, such as the international football calendar. It was a full-time job," said Platini.
I have known for a long time that I would be the target of many unfounded attacks.
"Like I explained to the Swiss authorities, I received only part of the agreed salary between 1998 to 2002.
"This occurred because, at the time, FIFA informed me that they would not be able to pay me the total agreed amount. Of course all the moneys received at the time were declared to the pertinent authorities."
Platini is therefore determined to stand for the presidency of world football's governing body and declared he is not surprised his integrity has come under scrutiny.
"I have known for a long time that I would be the target of many unfounded attacks and I am conscious that these attacks will continue until the FIFA elections take place," he added.
"I am still determined to present myself as a candidate for the FIFA presidency so I can introduce the governance reforms that are necessary to restore the order and credibility to world football.
"I would also like to put football at the heart of FIFA once again and make sure that we continue to develop this beautiful sport around the planet."
